Tsogwane defends Masisi’s ‘outlandish’ language
Mompati Tlhankane | Monday July 24, 2023 06:00
Tsogwane said in the true circumstances of Botswana political landscape, though the language could be perceived otherwise, it also enriches Botswana rhetoric on the campaign trail or freedom square, and less so eroding from the highest office in the land.
Tsogwane as the Leader of the House in Parliament was responding to questions from Member of Parliament (MP) from Maun West Dumelang Saleshando who had asked the VP among others if public statements made by the President using inappropriate or uncouth language and uttering false statements don’t demean the stature of the high office and undermines concerns expressed through parliamentary statements on respect of the presidency.
“The President made it clear that he was referencing words expressed and captured in the Hansard. Like we all do, as the President has also done, it is not unbecoming or demeaning to make references to the Hansard, neither should referring to such statements that were uttered by another, be deemed inappropriate,” Tsogwane added.
Asked to comment on the statement made by Masisi at a BDP rally on February 12, 2023 at Moshupa Village on COVID-19 vaccination by members of the opposition, Tsogwane pointed out that Masisi's linguistic ability to convey a statement of fact, citing specific examples of beneficiaries of the vaccination campaign should be celebrated rather than questioned. “It was for the good of our country that individuals concerned took this responsible step of being vaccinated and we commend all those who availed themselves of the opportunity,” he added.
Tsogwane instead accused Saleshando of using inappropriate language. “Uncouth with it, as when he said to the Deputy Speaker of Parliament in Setswana by saying ‘O maaka, O a aka’. It is he who frequently utters false statements which demean the stature of his previous office as Leader of the Opposition and current ordinary Member of Parliament and indeed this August House,” Tsogwane put it to Saleshando.
President Masisi’s vocabulary and syntax when addressing a Kgotla meeting at Sese village recently got everyone on the edge. Masisi was in his element as he offered up some shocking comments. When addressing the residents of Sese, a small village a few kilometres from the diamond town of Jwaneng on Tuesday, Masisi, in his usual play of Setswana, used idioms and parables to tell the story of the De Beers deal.
He compared the mining giant to doves, who fell into the trap of the determined Botswana government. “Akere le itse truag shagg, ka ba beela selaga. ke thaisitse maphoi ha bona kele ha jaana. Nka palelwa ke lemphorwana le go tweng De-Beers. Nako eo e bo e tla tshitha, ra bo re bitsa. Ba kile bare pepere, pepere, ga nna kgwedi di ka nna tharo di ka nna kahe, ba diega ha go ise go ye kae 25% be re mmona,” Masisi said. Some people viewed Masisi’s comments as brash, uncouth, at worst ill-mannered, while others appreciated the richness in Setswana because naturally Masisi is an orator who connects words with repetition, intonation and attitude.