The President's Promises On Mpa, FIA Dead In The Water
Monday, August 19, 2019
President Mokgweetsi Masisi, had on many times assured the media and the nation of Botswana that he would personally ensure that the MPA is history and in place would be the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act (FIA). Just a few weeks back, on return from an overseas trip, the President assured the media that the 11th Parliament would not come to end before the MPA is addressed.
Lo and behold! AIA is still just a dream, while the MPA remains on the shelves at the Attorney General Chambers. Even more significantly, the person who burdened us with the MPA, Pelonomi Venson-Motoi may never get a chance to speak to it as on August 2, 2019, she and few others left the august House for the very last time.
It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...