A ritual of insignificant relevance

*TAOLO LUCAS | Wednesday May 1, 2013 00:00

 

As in the recent past, there is no sense of eagerness in the country in anticipation of the budget details.  Most Batswana have come to know over the years that the national budget is not a tool through which their lives could change for the better.  It has become an annual ritual of insignificant relevance to a majority of Batswana.This year, the budget comes at a time when most individuals and households are feeling the strain of reduced revenue, dwindling prospects for personal opportunities, a collapsed education and health system.  The youth, who represent the country's hope for a knowledge-based economy, have been reduced to a failed generation and provide a large pool of unskilled workers with no prospect for leading in the development of the country.

Our manifesto of 2009 stated as follows in the foreword;'As for the economy, it is headed for collapse.  No imaginative strategies are in place to expand the industrial base and create jobs.  Diversification has failed as the economy remains heavily dependent on diamonds.  The potential for the manufacturing and tourism sectors is being squandered by the BDP.  Commerce and industry remain incompetent.  The result is high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequalities.  As the global head rears its ugly head, the structural weaknesses of our economy are being exposed.  There are no alternative sources of revenue generation, hence an unsustainable dependence on foreign reserves for development and recurrent expenditure.'

At the time when the above statement was made, many may have dismissed it as an exaggerated narration of a passing phase of economic uncertainty.  The reality is that the country is in a state of crisis.  Unemployment remains high, many well-abled people are joining the ranks of the poor as they can't secure decent employment and inequality remains high.  The response to the crisis by the Khama government has been to increase donations in the form of houses, blankets, radios and now shirts.  These are clear signs of a leadership devoid of a vision.

We call on government in this year 'Ritual Speech' to Disclose the number of people who graduated out of poverty on account of the backyard gardensReport on the number of jobs that have been created on account of the hubs that were set up in 2008State the number of investors that have come to Botswana in 2012/2013 and the number of jobs they createdState the number of jobs created in foreign countries through the export of Botswana resources such as diamonds, copper, nickel, gold, soda ash as well as cattle products

State the number of jobs held by foreign nationals in Botswana, particularly the ChineseDisclose the amounts development projects disbursed to foreign-owned companies vis-ˆ-vis companies owned by Batswana.

In our response to the 'Ritual Speech' we will once more state the priorities that a BCP government would have pursued.  We believe that quality education is the key foundation for a stronger economy driven by a motivated and appropriately skilled labour force.  There is need to also develop and adopt a job creation strategy with clear sector specific targets.  For a small population of our size with the resources we have at our disposal, there is no need for employment to remain such a major stumbling block for our citizens.  The BCP will once more spell out some of the proposals that are contained in our 2009 manifesto that are geared at attaining a society of equal opportunities.  We call on the nation to compare the proposals that we will be presenting to the Khama strategy of handouts.

Finally, we remain convinced that good corporate governance in both the private and public sectors remains vital to the revival of our economy.  The 2013/14 budget will be presented by a minister whose image is badly tainted by the findings of a Parliamentary Select Committee and an assistant minister who is on trial for corruption and currently on bail.  Is there a prospect for a clean government when the hands that crafted the budget are soiled with allegations of corruption? 

We strongly believe that this year's budget proposals will present an opportunity for Batswana to reflect on the path that our country has taken.  We should not accept the BDP excuse that we are only a victim of international financial markets and unfavourable trade conditions.  Botswana should no longer behave like a defenceless under-developed country.  We are an upper middle-income country that needs a leadership that has the vision to take Botswana to its next level of development.  As the BCP, we have the vision, programmes, policies and the ambition to build a better Botswana for all. 

*Taolo Lucas is the Botswana Congress Party's Informaiton and Publicity Secretary