Read Mfa's lips

KESITEGILE GOBOTSWANG | Thursday August 14, 2008 00:00

Ten years ago he warned Batswana against the dictatorial tendencies of President Seretse Khama Ian Khama. Last week the praise poet that has become of Mfa was uttering niceties about Khama that were unthinkable about a decade ago. Addressing a kgotla meeting in his constituency with the President, Mfa described Khama as the Mesiah who is capable of solving all problems afflicting the nation today. According to Mfa, President Khama will eradicate HIV/AIDS, poverty, unemployment, crime, excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages and other social and economic ills that affect Batswana.

As if that was not enough, the Assistant Minister threw a bombshell when he suggested that the constitution of Botswana must be amended to allow Khama to stand for a third term.  One is reminded of Dr. Onalenna Selolwane who once said that Khama may have his own weaknesses but Batswana must watch out for people who are close to the President. They will stop at nothing to use Khama's name to win his favour.  In my view, Mfa's utterances must not be taken lightly. The reason is that Mfa may not have strong influence on Khama, but he appears to be close to him enough to understand his inner thinking. Khama affectionately calls Mfa 'Kabila'.  When Botsalo  Ntuane wanted to contest Nata/Gweta (Constituency) against Mfa by popular demand, it was President Khama who struck a deal, that favoured his ally, Oliphant Mfa. According to the deal Ntuane would relocate to Gaborone West South to face a tough challenge of a rejuvenated Botswana Congress Party parliamentary candidate Abby Buti Chengeta and unseating the incumbent Member of Parliament, Robert Molefhabangwe of the Botswana National Front.

 Another reason why we must take Mfa's Third Term suggestion seriously is because it is generally believed that if one wishes to understand what Khama thinks about an important issue, one should read Mfa's lips. An issue that comes to mind was when Cabinet under pressure from Khama designated Serowe/Palapye for the Botswana International University of Science and Technology.  It was Mfa who threw the bombshell to the shock of his Cabinet colleagues.  A Technical Committee led by Professor Sesai Mpuchane had recommended Selibe Phikwe, followed by Francistown and Maun for the massive project.  (By the way, I know a lot of people would hear this for the first time, but the truth is that a small village of Lecheng in Tswapong North is the current location for the huge project). The fact that the Third Term issue was raised in the presence of the President gives credence to the suspicion that it is Khama's idea communicated through Mfa. Out of excitement, Mfa might have let the cat out of the bag prematurely. 

Experiences from Malawi and South Africa have shown that the Third Term issue is divisive.  In Malawi, former President Bakili Muluzi and his supporters attempted but failed to win the hearts of the people of Malawi to amend the constitution to allow Muluzi to go for a Third Term. South Africa's Thabo Mbeki and his supporters tried but also failed, a thing that destabilised the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The proposal for a Third Term appears to arise when the Olifant Mfas of the ruling parties come to the realisation that their parties have run out of credible leaders to replace the current ones.  For the Botswana Democratic Party, Khama is the last card they have.  

What is the likelihood that any campaign for a Third Term will succeed in Botswana? There are many weaknesses within our institutions that can make it succeed very easily. Unlike Mbeki and Muluzi, Khama has a tight grip on the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and the public or state media.  The introduction of the Media Practitioners' Bill and the Public Service will further strike a big blow to the limited free flow of information that Batswana enjoy today.  Under these circumstances, only the voices of supporters of the proposed Third Term will be heard. For members of the ruling BDP, any dissent is treated as indiscipline and can attract serious punishment including suspensions. Unlike Malawi and South Africa, the civil society in Botswana is relatively weak and timid. When they are confronted with a situation that requires tough decisions, local Non-governmental Organisations conveniently turn the other way and vent their frustrations on Zimbabwe.

We are still to hear their voices, matching in the streets over the controversial Media Practitioners' Bill. Charity must always begin at home.  The voice of the church is nowhere to be heard either. In Malawi, we hear of pastoral letters on matters of national concern. In Botswana, pastoral letters come far apart and almost absent.  Mfa wants a Third Term for the President because he believes that Khama is the best thing that ever happened to this country.

A lot of us think otherwise.  Just because he rescued Mfa from imminent defeat by Botsalo Ntuane does not make Khama a Mesiah. I am sure a lot of peace-loving Batswana are not amused by the militarisation of the civil service under the Presidency of Seretse Khama Ian Khama. If Mfa is pleased with the rule by directive/decrees that characterise Khama's misrule, no Motswana who cherishes democratic values will celebrate such undesirable developments.

It appears there are two Olifant Mfas. One sees Khama as an autocratic leader; the other sees him as superhuman. Will the real Mfa show his head?

Kesitegile Gobotswang is BCP Vice President