Editors Note

REGISTER TO VOTE

Hello! I hope the month of July was the most fulfilling for you. First it was Sir Seretse Khama Day, then the President’s Holidays both of which I hope you made the most of. Thus, as trees spring to life after shedding leaves this past winter, let your soul and mind spring to life fill you with renewed vigour and strength to face new challenges.

I mean such days not only afford us that needed break from our hectic work schedules but also time to reflect and assess how far we have progressed both as a nation and individually. It goes without saying that Botswana has made great strides in almost all spheres of life owing much to our continued political and socio-economic stability which is a result of our upholding of the democratic principles we set ourselves at independence.

At independence we took a deliberate decision that the path we will follow is that of democracy, a path that has eluded many not only in Africa but the world over. That was in 1966. There were many challenges then as they are even today. We were poor but our poverty never taught us greed. Interestingly and unlike in other countries where survival became that of the fittest characterised by rampant corruption, nepotism and favouritism, our leaders taught us to be humble, tolerant and self-reliant.

Ipelegeng became the mantra of every living soul. One may argue that Batswana are naturally a humble and self-reliant lot but imagine we never had leadership that exhibits the same traits. Many nations have collapsed because of lack of good leadership. Many nations are at war because of lack of good leadership. Many nations wallow in poverty because of lack of good leadership.

On the contrary, it is now 47 years and we continue to enjoy the peace and stability we have enjoyed since independence. This is because you as a Motswana decided that you will not be poor because of lack of good leadership. You said Botswana will not collapse because of lack of good leadership. You vowed that you will never kill your kin because of poor leadership. All this you did because you chose the path of democracy where you enjoy the right to vote a leadership of your choice.

But you can only continue to do so if you register to vote as you have done before in the past 47 years. So to afford you this opportunity, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced October 04 to 27 as voter registration period. That is next month and I want to take this opportunity to urge you to go and register so that you are able to vote next year. I choose to make this appeal a month in advance so that when you read my commentary in next month’s issue, it will be just a reminder.   Do the right thing, register to vote.

Meanwhile, August is the month for women. Kutlwano takes this opportunity to celebrate women. While other women continue to suffer many injustices such as poverty, war and violence, women in Botswana are relatively well off because of the peace and stability in their country. Let us all make this month a moment to savour for our women in whatever way we can. Stop the violence!

 Thank you for reading Kutlwano!