What Difference Will This Make?

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Thomas Nkhoma

Location : GABORONE

Event : Inauguration

The dust has now settled. Soon the red, green, orange and whatever colours that represented our various political parties during the October 24 elections will seamlessly blend into the Blue, Black and White colours of the country`s national flag. 

For 48 years now Batswana have done this - a ritual that has invariably galvanised them towards two of the five national principles of democracy and unity. 

In the September 1966 issue of Kutlwano in an article titled “All hail Botswana”, J. Norman England writes;

 “At the end of this month the British dependency, the Bechuanaland Protectorate, will cease to exist, and be replaced by the independent republic of Botswana”. He further asks “What difference will this make?”

I am not sure what difference England wanted to see but obviously the Botswana that was born in September 1966 has always been different from the rest of Africa. 

In an online Mail & Guardian article of October 25, 2014 titled “Tales of two Africas: In Botswana, a ‘boring` election; in Tunisia 6 terrorists killed ahead of tense vote,” Charles Onyango-Obbo succinctly captures this difference that has made Botswana a beacon of democracy amid a belligerent Africa. 

“Elsewhere election ‘disturbances` mean guns and burnings. In Botswana it is when a storm blows off the roof of a makeshift polling station.” 

This is the difference and the other Africa that we have come to embrace as Batswana. This year`s elections have demonstrated without doubt that Batswana have matured as a democratic and peaceful nation state. 

Peace and stability remain key to Botswana`s existence as an independent nation hemmed in a world characterised by war and political instability. In less than two years Batswana will be celebrating their golden jubilee. The question that England asked 50 years ago is still relevant, “what difference will this make?” 

Just like in 1966, the 11^th Parliament marks the beginning of a new era - the first of the 10 Parliaments. Half of the Members of Parliament (33) are new to the assembly, thereby “political novices”. Consequently, tongues have been set wagging as pundits, just like England, question what difference will this make?

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) campaign slogan was “Moving Botswana forward”. The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) chanted “Ready to lead” while the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) sang “Embrace change”.

That all these parties have representation in Parliament, it is now time to work towards a common goal - moving Botswana forward as the BDP, being the party in government, takes the lead. It is time the UDC slogan of embracing change is infused into the national agenda to bring change to the lives of Batswana as the country moves forward. It is time the BCP tagline of ready to lead is as well infused into the national agenda in that the 11^th Parliament should lead Botswana to a new height.

Unlike in the rest of Africa, Batswana have proved that political differences are just a democratic way of making sure contesting ideas are infused together towards a common goal. 

Just like in 1966 when pundits doubted whether the new government will make any difference, Batswana no doubt still possess those traits of a nation moving forward, ready to lead the rest of Africa as they embrace change towards a better life. 

This is the path of the 11^th Parliament as Botswana moves towards another 10 Parliaments and 50 years of self-rule. ENDS