allAfrica.com: Botswana: Khama's Roadmap (Page 1 of 3)

Let me from the outset pay tribute to Rre Mogae as he begins his retirement after years of exemplary service to our nation.

When looking back at his lifelong commitment to national service, it is hardlysurprising to anyone that he eventually ascended to the highest office in the land. Rre Mogae's achievements and the legacy he will bequeath us are well documented, as indeed outlined in his last State of the Nation Address in November last year. Immense strides in areas such as economic management, gender equality, HIV/AIDS, infrastructure development and social transformation, to mention but a few, have been made under his stewardship of our country. As president, Rre Mogae was recognised locally and abroad for these achievements. He can boast an admirable track record that serves as an example for future leaders of this country and elsewhere in the international community.

*An example of Rre Mogae's wise leadership is best re-stated by his own words during his last State of the Nation Address when he said and I quote "I have not allowed political expediency and the pursuit of populism to cloud my judgement and service to the nation. For the road to political expediency and populism may be lined with cheering crowds, but in the end we cannot escape the cold hard facts of our limitations as a developing country. Harsh punishment awaits a nation that spends unwisely in pursuit of immediate gratification rather than sustainable development", end quote. These are indeed wise words, and words I wish to identify myself with. On behalf of the nation, Rre Mogae, I wish to thank you Rraetsho for all you have done, and we wish you all the best in your retirement. Please feel free to call on me at anytime to render advice on any issue, and I hope I too can call on you for the same.

*A change of leadership does not mean radical changes in the way we have been setting out our objectives as agreed upon by the ruling party and government for this nation. Our party has a manifesto that I signed on to and the government has a national development plan that I am also a party to. However, in the course of the incoming administration, you may detect a change in style and special emphasis on a number of issues. This should not cause any alarm or uncertainty.

Afterall, changes should be seen in the context that no two people are the same. However, the overall objectives remain the same and not least because we, Rre Mogae and I, have been working together for quite some years to achieve them.

*Leadership changes can be a time of unease. I can only allay any disquiet by once more evoking President Mogae's words in his State of the Nation Address and I quote "Let us therefore face the future with confidence and determination: to lift our nation to greater heights, and determination to use our current achievements as stepping-stones towards prosperity and greater success" end Quote. I certainly intend to carry out my duties within the spirit and intent of those words.

*I am confident in the future, and I am determined to build upon the solid foundation that has already been laid since independence by my predecessors. For me to succeed, we must all be growing in success. No one can achieve anything on his or her own. This is our country, the only country we have. Botswana can achieve greater success, only if we show a collective will and when we all participate fully in her affairs.

Therefore whatever we do or whatever we say must be done and said in the best interests of this country.

*We have a clear vision of what we want Botswana's future to be. The successful implementation of our economic diversification policies and all this implies, will require focused and a single-minded pursuit of our goals and objectives. I am confident that with the right leadership at all levels and the appropriate mindset, we can, together, secure that success.

*Batswana have every right to reflect with pride on four decades of independence, stability and major economic and social development. But we cannot bask in past glory forever as has been the tendency. We need to think of the coming decades and about the prosperity and welfare of future generations. Botswana has become a middle-income country by prudently managing and investing the proceeds from her natural resources. This, in turn, has provided a stable and fulfilling environment for its citizens and business. Today, the country faces challenges that require further responses and initiatives. Areas that I feel need special emphasis are employment creation and poverty alleviation, programmes for the youth, health, housing and the fight against crime, to mention a few.

*But we also face new challenges such as environmental protection, and changing social values, brought about by rapid urbanisation. The external perceptions about Botswana have also changed: Botswana is no longer seen as the only beacon of success in Africa. A growing number of countries on our continent have become stable, democratic and increasingly attractive for investors, tourists and like-spirited people.

*These are some of the issues I am mindful of as I take the oath of office. Hence my roadmap for the nation will be underpinned and characterised by the principles of Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline. That they all start with the letter D is purely by coincidence.

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