Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
9 January 2008
Louis Nchindo has been described not just as President Festus Mogae's friend but a confidante. Nchindo has never served in the inner party politics. He ostensibly holds no credentials as a 'civil servant' in the government bureaucracy but his influence in government is said to have been legendary. He was not only a kingmaker but he has had the ear of the presidency than many can ever claim to have ...
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The existence of diamond enforced stability that Botswana has enjoyed for the last 20 years has buffered the cushy life of senior members of government and closely related business chums from the consequences of recieving immoral 'benifits' or corruption that would and should be expected in a healthy democratic state.
Additionaly, it seems the dirty fingers of American congressman that are disguised by a glove of righteous western aid and development (diamonds for development) has been scraping the excess fat of the system for themselves.
The buffer capacity of Botswana's large wealth supporting a small population, can only take so much of the greed and corruption mixed with multinational and american twists till there will be repecussions. Why do we not as a country do away with the common faults of many African states and take the relatively easy road, paved by wealth and a good democratic history and founadtion, to a independent sustainable and healthy democracy.