Lekopanye Mooketsi
31 March 2008
Security will be tight at the inauguration pf incoming President Ian Khama to be held in front of the National Assembly tomorrow.
On Friday Parliament Buildings was a beehive of activity as members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and other security agencies were combing the area. The soldiers were seen screening everywhere and even searching for suspicious looking objects in the drains.
They also erected barbed wire on the walk path leading to the National Assembly from the Main Mall. Khama, a former military man, cannot leave anything to chance in as far as security is concerned. Journalists were also called to a meeting on Friday, to be briefed about the tight security arrangements.
So all seems set for Khama's historic inauguration. Even the late president Sir Seretse Khama's statue, which has been refurbished, has been shifted to face the National Assembly.
But the inauguration is only a formality. What is being eagerly awaited is the appointment of the Vice President, which will be done in the afternoon when Parliament would endorse the candidate.
But the question is: Who is going to be the Vice President? The incoming President appoints the Vice President and Khama has kept everyone guessing. Even senior Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members, said they had no idea about who would become the vice president.
Among some of the names that have been floated around is that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Lieutenant General Mompati Merafhe. Merafhe has been outstanding since his appointed as foreign affairs minister. He has also served in the Cabinet as the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.
But Merafhe's disadvantage is that he is in his 70s and cannot succeed Khama in 10 years' time. Khama would only appoint Merafhe on a temporary basis and replace him after next year's general election.
The fact that he comes from Serowe with Khama, may not work in his favour. For the balance of power, people in the south would also prefer somebody from their region.
Another factor that would seem to militate against Merafhe is that he is also an ex-soldier like Khama. If appointed to be the vice president, people would think that Botswana is turning into a military state since Khama is rumoured to be surrounding himself with military men.
The Minister of Education, Jacob Nkate, has also been mentioned as one of the people Khama might consider. But Nkate is also from the North and this could work against him.
Another man who has been tipped to take over is veteran BDP politician, Daniel Kwelagobe, who is also the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration. Kwelagobe is the longest serving Cabinet minister in Botswana. He has served under all the country's presidents.
Of course, Khama would benefit from Kwelagobe's vast experience in politics and government administration. Unlike the other contenders, Kwelagobe is a southerner.
Another name that is mentioned is that of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Neo Moroka who is a new comer to politics. Since Khama himself is not really a seasoned politician he will need a veteran to assist him.
Although there are women who are serving in the Cabinet, Khama is unlikely to pick anyone of them. Unlike Mogae, Khama is not known to support women's empowerment.
The Monitor sister paper, Mmegi recently conducted a poll survey in which Merafhe emerged as the favourite candidate for the vice president's position. But Gideon Nkala, the editor of Mmegi, is also in the dark about who would become the vice president. "It is a waiting game. He has not given us an indication. It's not very easy. All we can do is to speculate," he says.
Nkala says the closest thing they have done was to conduct the survey. But the survey only talks about the popular candidate.
He says the ball is in Khama's court. "The choice is really his. He doesn't have to go with the popular view."
He says there are sorts of considerations to be made. Nkala says Khama might opt for a military man, a youth or he might consider appointing somebody along regional lines.
The Mmegi editor says the nation is in discourse, adding that people are talking about empowering the youth. He says people are not concerned about merits when such appointments are made.
But he describes Khama as his own man. "He could even pick someone from the opposition. We don't know." He says the constitution does not give the criteria used for the appointment. However, he does not foresee Khama picking a backbencher but could only consider people in the cabinet. "I think the military boys in the cabinet have a stronger chance. He has been given a blank cheque."
Nkala is losing patience with the waiting game. "It's bad that even now we are still speculating. It's so sad for our democracy. One man holds the key to everything.
By this time we should be talking about the suitability of the two candidates rather just guessing."
According to the editor, the fact that Khama has not given any hint about his choice, says something about his secrecy. "Everything about him is shrouded in secrecy."
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