The Voice (Francistown)
Moses Maruping
11 March 2008
Francistown — A donkey may have been good enough for the King of Kings, but it has been turned down as a suitable present for outgoing President Festus Mogae.
Ngwaketse West Councillor, 46-year-old See Mmatli of Maokantshwanyane Ward had his gift rejected as 'unsuitable' when the President visited Mabutsane Village as part of his farewell tour.
Disappointed Mmatli said he was baffled and dismayed as to why his gift to the first citizen was not acceptable.
The Botswana National Front (BNF) Councillor said: "We were told to prepare for Mogae's visit together with the village's elders. I considered it would be fitting for me to give our president a gift as a token of appreciation for his relentless commitment to this nation.
"Mogae has received loads of cattle and I thought a donkey would be an ideal gift to celebrate our agricultural heritage. It is a hard working animal and the Bible bears testimony to its importance as it was Jesus Christ's preferred means of transport."
He said his gift was a genuine offer of appreciation, and noted that at the current market rate, his ass was valued at P600.
He said although the donkey was initially accepted by those in the organizing committee, he was shocked when they rejected it at the last minute.
"A government vehicle was used to go and collect the donkey from Maokane, and the very same vehicle was used when they returned it to me."
Mmatli said that the organizing committee told him that it was "unheard of" to give a donkey as a gift to someone with such a high social standing as that of the Head of State.
"I'm still hurt," said Mmatli. "I don't even think the President was aware of my gift, as it was never announced at the Kgotla.
"When the President visited Moshupa he was given a dog as a gift, so what's wrong with a donkey? It would have gone a long way in contributing to his welfare."
Commenting on the issue, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Councillor for Mabutsane, Lieutenant Colonel Fairbridge Pule, said that he was surprised that the donated donkey never made it into Mogae's gift basket.
"We formed part of the visit's steering committee together with the District Commissioner and other village elders. The committee was told that Mabutsane Village had decided to give his Excellency a donkey as a gift, but from the onset there was mixed feelings.
"I was of the view that a gift is just a gift, but it appears high ranking forces decided to do away with the donkey."
Pule said just like cattle, chickens and other livestock which were given to Mogae in different villages, there would have been nothing wrong with him accepting a donkey.
"It's unfortunate that the donkey never found its way into the President's hands, but was rather returned to its owner."
Southern District Council (Kanye) District Commissioner, Louis Malikongwa, refused to comment, saying that as far as he was concerned, the matter was closed.
"We held a meeting with the concerned councillor, but I'm sorry I cannot divulge any information concerning our meeting and the donkey issue."
Press Secretary to the President, Dr. Jeff Ramsay said the donkey matter was news to him, adding that had the present been announced at the Kgotla, the Office of the President would be aware of it.
"We have a system of collecting all gifts which come in front of H.E. We were in Mabutsane on Tuesday 26 February and there was never a gift in the form of a donkey. As far as I know we're not requesting any particular animal as we believe any form of gift is a touching gesture on the part of the people."
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