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Politics a dirty game

Mpho Masunge

Where there is no law there is no order. “Naga e senang bokhudutlou bolobeto ba ipha naga,” meaning where elders are not available to instill law children do what they want. I get upset when people in powerful positions play with our minds and get away with it. Don’t we need rules? We do.

Take the issue of floor crossing where politicians jump from one party to the other and some even go back to their first initial parties. How about the voters? Do they not need to be consulted before such a move is made? There is no such a law that is what they will say. I believe it is time to bring a law to limit floor crossing. It is dirty for one to jump parties after voters trusted you with their votes. Floor crossing is one of the dirty tricks of politics.

To prove how dirty politics can be take the issue of false promises. A politician would promise the voters hospitals and all other developments. However after been voted in power it becomes clear that voters have been played. All promises are not done. Is it is not time to inject laws that would hold such politicians accountable? We need rules to guard against such doings where our elders are been tricked into voting someone under false pretences.To add to it how about ministers who always get away with corruption cases? In most cases they use their political status to be acquitted. It is time to bring rules that would guard against issues of dirty politics such as floor crossing, false promises as well as corruption cases. We need to stand up since we the ones who can be agents of change or we will continue to suffer from dirty politics.

BCP launches Dibe

Mpho Masunge

Botswana Congress Party on Saturday launched their Gabane- Mankgodi parliamentary candidate Nthusang “mzambiya” Dibe at Gabane.

Speaking at the launch the party’s youth league leader Dithapelo Keorapetse expressed that Mr Dibe is the rightful candidate for the constituency. He added that Dibe is a hard worker and a man who is always ready to work and serve his people. He added that voting for Dibe would be a wise choice. On the other hand bcp’s parliamentary candidate for Mogoditshane Tumiso Rakgare expressed his faith on Dibe. “This is the man who knows all your concerns. He is going to parliament to strive for better education system, working conditions of the civil servants, youth unemployment and access to land” he said.

For his part the candidate pleaded with the constituents to vote for him and promised to uplift the face of Gabane which he believes is lagging behind in terms of developments. He said that the constituents should vote for the BCP since it is ready to lead Botswana to greater heights. “The ruling party had forty eight years to improve this constituency but they failed. Why should you continue to trust them with your votes while they failed you? Lamented Dibe.

The general elections for the constituency which is currently under Botswana Democratic Party would be held in October and the constituency would be contested for by Lesedi Mmusi of Botswana Democratic Party, Nthusang Dibe of Botswana Congress Party as well as Major Pius Mokgware of the Umbrella for Democratic Change.

Giants do fall

Mpho Masunge

It is surprising but yet true. Giants do fall. Remember the fight of David and Goliath? David as tiny and short he was he gunned down the giant Goliath. A lot were surprised but yet true. Giants do fall.

The same was witnessed during the primary elections of the ruling party. I believe a lot were shocked to see Botswana Democratic Party top dogs been gunned down by the so called underdogs. Ministers like Phandu Skelemani, Lebonaamang Mokalake and non-ministers like Moatlhodi and Frank Ramsden all lost to the underdogs. I was shocked but not surprised. I knew no matter how strong and powerful you can be taken down.

The same is not only witnessed in Botswana. In other countries like Libya the powerful Muammar Gaddafi was taken down. This was a man who believed he was powerful and could rule his country until he steps down himself without been forced. Where is he now? Down and out. The power he thought he had never worked for him. Indeed giants do fall.

How about former Egypt leader Hosny Mubarak. The man who was the longest serving Egypt president. Powerful as he was he never thought anyone could unseat him. Where is he? Yes he was taken down and out by his own people. Falling down to people you once led proves giants do fall and Mubarak was one of them.

Examples of leaders who did fall is endless. I believe no matter how powerful one is they can still be brought down. Mubarak, Gaddafi and some BDP ministers were all victims of that. Am standing my ground and say yes giants do fall.

Out of ideas

Mpho Masunge

I normally ask myself why people always go back to where they were in the past. A man dumps his woman citing he does not love her anymore. However along the way the man now wants the woman back. If it is not insanity then what is it? Desperation? Well it is possible.

Up to date I do not understand why Khama’s government would bring back Tirelo Sechaba after theory abolished it themselves before. To me they have ran out of ideas as to how to curb unemployment. It does not make sense to condemn something and then bring it back. Our government must admit they failed and it is time for fresh and new ideas.

When we look at this so called Tirelo Sechaba to me it is useless. This is because it offers only short term employment to youth aged 20 to 30 years. How about those under and above that age range? Where will they go? Now can we boldly stand and walk with our chest out that we have found a remedy for unemployment? It is time our government starts getting serious about issues of job creation. We need fresh ideas to take our country to greater heights. Surely Tirelo Sechaba is not an option.

Total Failures

Mpho Masunge I get upset and embarrassed when those who are supposed to lead us end up leading us to failures. What kind of leaders are that? Are they not the same as the ten women in the bible who were not responsible enough to save enough fuel for the arrival of the bride? Well they are the same.

Take our very own Independent Electoral committee, the only organization that is endorsed to ensure the smooth running of our elections. However they turn to be total failures at what they do. They failed to ensure Batswana register in large numbers for the upcoming general elections. It is not a secret that the committee failed to urge Batswana to go registering large numbers. In the past during registration time radios would be playing a song that was produced to urge people to go vote. This year however it has been just quiet, quieter than an empty room. Where are we going with such ignorant people? Well nowhere.

They failed to meet their set target. Is this not embarrassing? I am ashamed to even say out the number of people who registered to vote. However it is not surprising that they failed to reach their target of 80% it is time they learn and come up with strategic ways to urge people to go vote like advertising and fully using the media. They should also know that the times of today we live the technology. Issue of online registration is time they are put in place. But as usual they fail to take that into consideration.

The list of the failures of the IEC is endless and I believe they should be ashamed for failing the public. There has been additional registration in February and May but they still failed to meet their target. They need to wake up and make hay while it still shines.