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.
