We salute Mma Hobona

For the first time in the history of what is touted as Africa's oldest democracy, the distaff section of the Botswana population has a representative directly elected from the ranks of the opposition. Ladies and gentlemen, we present Dr Habaudi Hobona, the mint new Member of Parliament for Francistown West! And although the voter turnout was quite low, thanks mainly to the yo-yo antics that surrounded the constituency, we say more power to your elbow, Dr Hobona! Inspite of the country's much-vaunted democratic credentials, she joins a Parliament packed with men (many of them closet male chauvinists) with no more than a smattering of women of the domineering Botswana Democratic Party, half of whom are bereft of the popular vote, having entered the House by means of the notorious special election.