SONA: Masisi should avoid political expediency

Mmegi Editor | Sunday November 5, 2023 06:00

Masisi will update the nation on his government’s challenges and achievements as well as the promises to deliver in the next 12 months and/or beyond.

While this SONA will not be different from the previous ones, it will be delivered against the backdrop of contentious issues engulfing the nation.

Therefore, Batswana are waiting with baited breath to hear exactly what this SONA has in store for them. There are several socio- economic and political issues that need the President’s attention. Therefore, this is an opportunity for Masisi to tell the nation what his government’s plans are to address them.

In the past, SONA has become more like a talk-shop loaded with promises that give hope to every Motswana.

But, in the end, it turns out to be just a speech full of empty promises. With the country headed for the polls next year, Masisi might be tempted to ride on the opportunity and seek political expediency. The President should, by all means, avoid political expediency, empty promises and focus on delivery. The country is besieged by high rate of unemployment, especially amongst young people, while inequality or the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen. The President should tell the nation how his government plans to address these issues. Inequality, analysts note, is a profound barrier to building a fairer and more inclusive society.

The President has in the past made several promises that he is yet to deliver on. One of them is the resuscitation of the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC), which has not been functional for over four years now.

The Masisi-led government also promised to repeal the Media Practitioners Act, before coming up with a piece of legislation that is inclusive and representative of the interests of media industry. While the Media Practitioners’ Association Bill 2022 was finally tabled before Parliament, there are still concerns as the industry continues to advocate for Freedom of Information legislation.

These are just two examples of the President’s failed promises, but there are many examples.

All of this shows that delivery remains the biggest problem within government. It is time that the President tells us how he intends to address this problem.