Opposition should get on with it

| Tuesday June 17, 2008 00:00

It is still early to really know how genuine and serious those involved in the process are and what type of reaction these current moves will elicit from the masses. However, our position has always been that the opposition should pool their resources together to have any chance of withstanding the onslaught of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). There is no question that under Ian Khama, the BDP is more united and powerful than before.

We think the opposition has never been faced with a tougher opponent in the modern Botswana political scene. Of course it would be disingenuous for one to suggest that the opposition is one monolithic body. It is important to recognise that the BNF and BCP are different and have separate political programmes. We are also aware that each party has the long-term plan to take over power from the BDP. However, we believe that the opposition is faced with a bigger challenge now than ever to provide an alternative choice to the BDP. Batswana have indicated that they believe the future of a working democratic dispensation in the country is an organised, cooperating if not united opposition. When they cooperate, the BNF and BCP have won every by-election they have contested.

We understand that the opposition has attempted to work out the modalities of some sort of cooperation before and failed. However, our opinion is that all efforts should be put into the current endeavour. Furthermore, we believe that it is never too late to work out a solution to the problems that prevent the two parties from working together. An organised cooperating opposition has the ability to win more constituencies and thereby offer an effective counter to the BDP in Parliament. We think this is the most important national agenda the opposition should address in the short-term. There it is important that the current talks be held and nurtured to succeed. The BNF and BCP should get on with it and cooperate for the benefit of the country. However, the main opposition party, the BNF has an added responsibility if it is to convince the public that this time around it is serious.  Currently, that party is experiencing internecine wrangling that is bound to impact negatively on any envisaged cooperation. The party, should therefore speedily move to restore order within its ranks. 

                                             Today's Thought

It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them ... Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind.

                                                - Alex Karras