Foreigners, such as Stephen Corry of Survival International (SI), South Africa’s firebrand opposition politician, Julius Malema amongst others, were either declared persona non grata (PI) or put on the VISA list, for daring to challenge the status quo. Where patriotism was demanded from the nation, most Batswana found it hard to defend the government when it was under attack.
When defenders of the indigenous people of the world, SI, for an example, attacked the source of our livelihood, diamonds, many found no reason to rise and come to the nation’s defence. SI was going to our major markets, Europe and America to declare ours blood diamonds, because of the Botswana government’s treatment of Basarwa. The attitude of the Khama administration to its people, led to many, even with the full knowledge that the campaign would affect diamond sales, either backing Corry and Roy Sesana or staying clear of the debate. Now Batswana are engaging, and coming to Botswana’s defence.
