Presidency succumbs to national pressure
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday August 6, 2024 16:00
In a rather interesting turn of events, the national leadership have decided to listen to the people. While the presidency has ignored comments by those querying the constitutional review process, the State Presidency Minister Kabo Morwaeng could not wait for the reconvening of Parliament this week to withdraw three Bills aimed at conferring improved benefits for former presidents and vice presidents due to public pressure. Morwaeng had to make a statement on Btv, the national broadcaster, on Saturday night announcing that they had heard the outcry of the public through newspapers, radio stations and social media platforms.
The three Bills which Morwaeng withdrew are: Presidents (Pensions and Retirement Benefits) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Bill No. 12 of 2024); Former Vice-Presidents (Pensions and Retirement Benefits) Bill, 2024 (Bill No. 13 of 2024); and Ministers and National Assembly Gratuities and Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Bill No. 14 of 2024). Amendment Bill No. 12 of 2024 states that children of presidents should benefit from presidents’ pensions and retirement benefits. “The object of the Bill is to amend Section 2 of the Presidents (Pensions and Retirements Benefits) by inserting the definition of dependent child in the section,” reads the Bill. The Bill further suggests that spouses of former presidents should also benefit from the president’s pensions and retirement benefits post-presidency.
Further, it alludes that even if the former president passes on, their children and partners should continue receiving the welfare from the retirement benefits. “Amend Section 3 of the Act to specify the benefits of the spouse of a person who has held the Office of the President. Section 4 of the Act such that a dependent child of a person who has held the Office of the President is able to benefit in their own right, and not just when the surviving spouse dies,” reads the Bill. Finally, the Bill suggests that upon retirement, the person who has held the Office of the President should be given six cars including one for their spouse.
The Bill was met with rejection by the general public and some demonstrations were already on the cards. Morwaeng conceded that there had been many comments, remarks and general dissatisfaction about these Bills. 'The common sentiment is that this is not the time to bring such Bills. We have heard your opinions; we have listened to your views, and it is clear that you the people of this country, the Republic of Botswana, are not ready for a review of the law relating to the improvement of the retirement benefits of former leaders of this country,' he said. Morwaeng added that in appreciation of the views of the people of Botswana, as a consultative and listening government, he came to the Btv studios to declare to the nation that, they would withdraw the three Bills from Parliament pending further consultation. Before making the announcement, Morwaeng with a solemn face and seemingly feeling the public pressure made some pronouncements hailing Botswana's democratic practices.
He said the conduct of national affairs as a sovereign state, has always been and continues to be, gauged, assessed, critiqued and validated by invoking democratic principles, amongst them, being broad-based participation and consultation in decision-making on issues of national concern and in the public interest. 'Our exercise of participatory democracy, of course, happens at different levels and public spaces of engagement, including civil society. Over the years, we have, indeed, learned and become aware of what democracy means and entails, both for our individual and collective actions, regarding issues in the public interest. In turn, government’s response to issues in the public interest is enjoined to embrace democracy,' he said.
Morwaeng said Botswana is built on diverse cultures, yet largely interconnected on several aspects, to produce unity in diversity, especially revolving around 'Botho', as a social and moral value. He said Botho ‘as a foundation of our collective’ being and national identity as Batswana, has several principles flowing from it. He said Botho demands that a person acknowledges and has regard for the humanness of others and mutual respect. 'Botho demands of each and every individual to consider what others think, ‘morero’ or consultation, which makes our everyday lives. The consultation process is core to our democratic principles. Indeed, the much-revered 'Kgotla' system that this country is built on, and still practices, is centred on morero or therisanyo at its core. 'These same principles are what have built this country; they are a foundation, motheo wa kago ya lefatshe la rona, our beautiful Botswana. It is on these same ethos and values that our Constitution is built,' Morwaeng said.