BNF rebels are without cause

Correspondent | Wednesday January 15, 2014 16:18

Over long years, these characters have made it the sole purpose of their existence to scupper the chances of electoral for what was once Botswana’s official opposition with a clear vision and mission. For more than 15 years now, these dangerous elements have succeeded in sowing seeds of instability in the BNF and turned the party into a lame duck on the eve of the elections.

We want to appeal to this band of reactionaries to desist from toying with the expectations of Batswana who are thirsty for at least a credible opposition that can keep the increasingly unscrupulous Botswana Democratic Party government in check.

It is shocking that after the BNF Congresses in Mahalapye and Gantsi in 2012 and 2013 respectively, congresses which – soundly and clearly - resolved to go into partnership with other opposition parties for 2014 general elections, there should still be elements that want to divide the party over what was widely received as the most pragmatic way to go. Having demonstrated their capacity to make trouble, it is clear that these malcontents are selfish beyond measure, and will stop at nothing to ensure the status quo with Domkrag at the helm is undisturbed, for that has always been the only result of their actions.

There are innumerable compelling reasons why Botswana’s political opposition must unite; these include the high unemployment rate and widespread poverty for which the ruling party presents Ipelegeng as the answer. The cynicism of the ruling party is illustrated by how it offers constituency football and donations of blankets as what one of its ministers, Botlhogile Tshireletso, has said is the means to social transformation for Batswana.

It is thus the height of irresponsibility for anyone to put so much zeal in destabilising the opposition when state institutions have been personalised and made the fiefdoms of a few brothers, cousins, nephews and cronies of the President without regard for abjection of the vast majority of Batswana and the rising anxiety levels among those appropriately qualified for those jobs. These rebels without a cause in the BNF must wake up from their slumber of endless theorising and realise that true politics is the art of the possible. It is never too late, dear brethren, to return to the position of the masses.

We once again appeal to you to catch up with how politics has changed since the turn of the century, and accept that Batswana are tired of pettiness that has characterised the BNF for donkey’s years. These rebels without a cause must just read, read, read again and read once to come to grips with how new realities require new tactics.

Most importantly, we appeal to Batswana in general to ignore these misdirected renegades who seem to think that to be progressive is to be irrelevant to the exigencies of the times.