Domkrag and number one's left-wing politics
| Friday December 20, 2013 12:41
The latter accuses the ruling party of suppressing the proletariat, who, naturally, do not own any form of means of production, and for deliberately creating social inequalities. They accuse the BDP of advancing policies that have over the years resulted in high levels of unemployment and poverty. The BDP government is doing this with a good measure of sadism, they say.
But just how 'right' is this Domkgrag movement?
Yes, we all want to hear about alternative policies that left-wing politicians have to offer to the disillusioned and disenchanted Batswana. With unbridled pomposity the BDP is quick to remind everyone who cares to listen that a capitalist society is characterised mostly by derelicts – something that is unheard of here in Botswana, they respond. And they have stepped it up a notch; they contend that even illegal immigrants who arrive here looking haggard have somehow found solace in this so called capitalist country. With a good measure of chutzpah, they contend that if capitalism is associated with caring for the poor: raising funds to build houses for the homeless, creating employment for the downtrodden, offering free education and health services for the have-nots, looking after the old, paying people for ploughing the fields and others. then they are not a bit ashamed to be labelled capitalists.
To BDP, the opposition parties have a lopsided view of things in general. The BDP government has a history of displaying anti – capitalistic tendencies, some candid left-wing politicians within the opposition contend, however. But when Ian Khama ascended to the presidency the party’s left-wing tendencies somehow became more pronounced. The more discerning within the opposition became aware of this and decided to jump ship and join the man (the likes of Mephato Reatile). Khama has unwittingly implemented policies and programmes associated with communism, and effectively rendered the opposition non-existent. It is therefore not surprising to find that opposition lawmakers are unimpressive in parliament; the poor people have little to offer.
Not unnaturally, the left in Botswana have resorted to trade unions seeking companion in their efforts to discredit the ruling party. They (opposition parties) could hardly control their elation when public servants went on strike in 2011, and they still have hope that organised labour is key to conscientise Batswana and ultimately taking over power. But alas, they will soon find out that the real power rests with the poor and unsalaried workers, who, evidently, are highly impressed with Khama’s pro-poor namola leuba programmes.
Under the ingenious Khama the BDP has redefined politics in Botswana and the self-proclaimed left-wing opposition politicians can only hope, for their sake, that Khama’s heir apparent (whoever that might be) would rekindle those capitalistic tendencies so assumed but never proven within the BDP. And for their part, the left will be advised, for once, to ignore Marx’s teachings (of not taking farmers serious) and also to take unsalaried workers very serious if they stand any chance of toppling Domkrag from power.
Otsile Moora
Cell: 75493402
otsilemoora@gmail.com