Gideon Nkala
27 March 2008
Gaborone — When President Festus Mogae hands over the reins of power to Ian Khama next week Monday that will not be the only shift of power, because there is likely to be yet another unofficial power centre emerging.
Other than the codified battery of advisors at Office of the President, Cabinet and Attorney General's Chambers Ian Khama like all other presidents before him will rely on a team of friends and other people whose opinion and advice he values. Khama will be bringing his own set of personal advisers - his kitchen cabinet.
Speculation is rife that Khama's long-time private secretary Isaac Kgosi will rise to become the director of the newly created Directorate on Security and Intelligence Services (DSIS). Other than performing his duties as intelligence boss Kgosi is largely expected to play a leading role in Khama's kitchen cabinet. Khama is variously described as a private man, some even go as far as saying that he is a loner who does not trust others easily. Very few men can count themselves as Khama's friends other than the fact that they get the occasional officious smile, handshake and a chatty refrain that we all see at public rallies and the like.
Isaac Kgosi is different, he is one of the few that are seen as Khama's confidante. A soldier on secondment from the army barracks, Kgosi has served Khama as Private Secretary for the last 10 years when he was Vice President. As a private secretary, Kgosi prepares Khama's diary and other schedules. For the large part Kgosi has been Khama's interface with the public. Even ministers and business executives seeking audience with Khama know that Kgosi is the only way to the VP. Kgosi was not just a paper-pusher who counted paper clips in Khama's office but a clearing-house to the big house too.
Kgosi moved with Khama from the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and at the time there was much controversy surrounding Kgosi's movement from the army into the public service. But this has been of little or no consequence, as his star continues to rise.
A lot of people have dismissed Kgosi as a 'batman' or an unthinking errand boy who would be out of depth to deal with the cognitive issues in governance. Those who know him well argue that the man deserves more respect than he currently gets. They say Kgosi is not a doormat. "He is one of the few men that can engage Khama on anything. He can differ with Khama without fear of losing favour," said one official who could not reveal his name. In another newspaper a fellow soldier was quoted as saying that Kgosi is probably the only man Khama can trust with his life.
"I carry Vice President Ian Khama's diary everywhere I go. I arrange his schedules. All sorts of people and organisations always want to see the Vice President. Some solicit assistance, others come with all sorts of problems. I have to arrange for all these," Kgosi was quoted in a previous interview with the Monitor.
Kgosi's meteoric rise began at BCL Mine in Selebi-Phikwe, which he joined after completing a Mechanical Engineering course at the then Botswana Polytechnic in Gaborone. He did not last longer than six months at BCL as he quit for another private company before joining the then Para-military Unit, the forerunner to the current Botswana Defence Force.
He joined the army from the bottom as a private and rose through the ranks to his present rank of Colonel. In 2005 Kgosi was sent on a graduate programme in public administration in the United Kingdom (UK)in what is largely believed to be an overt initiative to prepare him for the big time in the public service. This 49-year-old from Matsiloje is the man who will be at the nerve-centre of Khama's trusted inner circle. Next to Kgosi is another former army man, Thapelo Olopeng. Not much is known about Olopeng except that he has maintained a friendship with Khama even after he left the army. Olopeng is currently a businessman.
Presidency does not only rely on official intelligence handed in by salaried officials but it relies on the ears and observation of a few trusted and loyal friends. Olopeng is said to be one of the few people that Khama would value their judgement. Cabinet minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi is considered Khama's friend. She and the Vice President are known to be on first name basis. When many other colleagues in government are shut out, Venson-Moitoi always has access to Khama. To a very large extent it is believed that Khama can confide in her as much as she can have the same liberties with him. Outside her official mandate as a government minister, Venson-Moitoi is one of those that Khama is likely to consult when he needs a steadying hand during critical moments.
Acquaintances say Khama sees his family as his fountain of support. It is said that he talks and consults his family members, particularly his twin brothers, Tshekedi and Anthony. Observers say he talks a great deal with Tshekedi on just about everything. Unlike Anthony, Tshekedi would at least be in the government system as he is most likely going to be Serowe North West Member of Parliament (MP) soon after Khama moves into State House. His prominence as an advisor would grow in stature.
Cabinet minister and Khama's cousin Ramadeluka Seretse is also believed to be one of the few that have the ear of the Vice President. Although he is said to have a streak of independence, Khama is understood to value his cousin's word as much as he is fond of Cabinet minister Kitso Mokaila's loyalty.
Although there could be concern about issues of independence between the Executive and the Judiciary there is a perception that Khama like some in government hold in high esteem the knowledge and thoroughness of High Court judge Ian Kirby. Khama has interacted and benefited much from Kirby's wise counsel during Kirby's tenure as Attorney General. Word from the Government Enclave is that he is more than impressed with Kirby and this is a relationship that he would ordinarily want to retain.
Those around Khama and by extension Khama put a lot of premium on former attorney and senior partner at Collins and Newman, David Newman. As a lawyer, it is believed that Khama and his other close associates would ordinarily want to bounce off ideas around Newman whenever they are unsure. Like Kirby this relationship could be stifled by perception of ethics and the desire to maintain state and church division between the Judiciary and the Executive.
Both President Festus Mogae and Ian Khama have appointed attorney Isaac Seloko to the BDP Central Committee as an additional member on two occasions and some observers say he would without doubt be in Khma's kitchen cabinet. "Khama believes Seloko has both his feet firmly on the ground. He has a soft spot for him. He would definitely take his word over many others.
Seloko together with attorney Richard Lyons are rumoured to be two other lawyers who could make into Khama's inner circle. Occasionally Khama is said to visit old man Goareng Mosinyi, who served in his father's (Sir Seretse Khama) first government, after independence in 1966. It is not clear whether Khama's consultations with Mosinyi are merely part of a social exercise to bond with his elders or are aimed at soaking in wisdom on Tswana customs.
There is an outside chance that Khama could consult Mosinyi on other matters, particularly those that require traditional wisdom and logic, which he will definitely need as Botswana's next helmsman.
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