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Botswana: Khama Succession Sparks Hot Bus Ride Debate
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
28 March 2008
Posted to the web 31 March 2008
Patricia Maganu
Gaborone
It is the hottest topic of the moment. No doubt about that. The ride from Serowe to Francistown could have been slower and most tedious in the old slow 25-seater bus if it were not for the argument that some of the passengers decided to engage in.
There could be a million topics but as one can imagine, the hottest topic of the moment is the succession of Ian Khama to the presidency that is only a few days away.
The passengers could not have picked a better time to debate this topic. The whole debate started when a bigger bus carrying members of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) passed the mini-bus at Sese gate and those who belong to the ruling party immediately emerged and started a celebration of their own.
And those who felt there was no need to celebrate also emerged quickly and pointed that out. It is quite amazing how people who seemed to agree on so many things before the BDP bus passed could also disagree that much after that one little development.
One woman, who is obviously for the ruling party - and was clad in red (BDP colour), could not hide her excitement as she tried to reason with those who disagreed.
"Of course Domkrag could not have been where it is without the opposition parties, but ga gona e kgolo go heta domi," drawing some angry reactions from those who did not seem to believe that was an unfair judgement.
One man who had to raise his voice to be heard above all the commotion, said that Batswana were hungry and tenders were the worst source of corruption in this country. But who could hear with almost everyone in the bus screaming Domi? The whole ride was one big debate.
The argument carried on all the way to Serowe. One woman who seemed outraged that anyone had the audacity to question the government did not wait to voice her concerns.
"Batswana are so spoiled. There are so many people who wish that they were from Botswana. That same president you are condemning brought your children ARVs and free food," she said.
A man, who did not seem to believe that Botswana had so much to celebrate, said that people like her have been bought by the ruling elite.
"You have no idea what you are talking about. Just because you are from Serowe you think this is so grand. Why don't you think a little bit outside the box? There are so many things that should be revised about this country's leadership," he said. The woman, who immediately assumed that he was condemning Khama, fired back, saying:
"I do not see what is wrong with this government. We cannot judge someone before we have seen what he or she is able to do. You are one of the people who seem to find something wrong with the presidents being Bangwato. Would you rather they did not belong to any tribe? Masire was from Kanye; who has ever found a problem with that?" she said.
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The other team would not also budge as they hit back. "You make it seem like you do not see poverty simply because you are a Mongwato. I am also a Mongwato but I am impoverished and I see corruption and the imbalances. How are they going to be good presidents if we keep on protecting them from the truth?"
As if giving up, another woman said that Batswana are too free. "I have never seen a country where presidents can just be insulted. We know of countries where it is an offence to call a president names, but here o tla a bona motho a palame tautona a mo roga."
At the bus rank, after entertaining everyone, they shook hands and went their separate ways.
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