Tumelo Setshogo
21 April 2008
In April 1, 2008 Batswana witnessed the inauguration of the country's fourth president on the co country's 43rd independence.
Lit Gen Ian Khama took over the baton from Festus Gontebanye Mogae who assumed office in 1998, after taking over from Sir Ketumile Masire.
While he (Khama) was vice president, many criticised him for his silence and none attendance of parliamentary proceedings.
Politicians, political analysts, the public and other concerned citizens are speculating on how Khama will run and manage the country, which has enjoyed peace and stability for many years.
But when Khama ascended to the highest office in April 1, he allayed all fears that he will rule with an iron feast in his maiden speech at his inauguration outside Parliament in front of multitudes of Batswana.
Khama told the nation that his leadership will be based on four principles, which are Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline. These four principles have come to be known as the 4Ds.
BDP deputy executive secretary, Fidelis Molao, says as the party they have no doubt that Khama will uphold the principles of democracy. He says Khama has even assured the nation in his inaugural speech that he will lead the country on the route that his predecessors did.
According to Molao Khama demonstrated democratic qualities when he joined politics in 1998 as vice president to Mogae. He said Khama took his time to learn the democratic principles and functions of the party when offered the chairmanship by the former chairman, Ponatshego Kedikilwe. "He delayed to accept the position as he was still learning the machinery of the party and its day to day activities," noted Molao adding, "this showed that he is a true democrat."
Molao also reveals that he absorbed the pressure exerted on him by some BDP members to challenge Kedikilwe for the chairmanship "as he thought it was still early for him to take the baton." In 2003 at the BDP congress held in Gantsi, a year before the general elections, Khama thought the time was ripe for him to challenge for any position in the Central Committee "and he challenged Kedikilwe and won."
Molao says Khama led the party well, consulting with his committee members on issues of national importance. "Khama brought into the party some very important changes which are beneficial. He taught party members that time is very important in whatever activity they do," revealed Molao adding that the BDP used to believe in afternoon rallies than morning ones and "today there are such rallies and time is treasured."
Continues Molao: "When these changes happened, no one felt left out because Khama consulted in everything he wanted to introduce for the benefit of the BDP and the country at large." He said everyone in the party is allowed to air his/her views without any fear contrary to what many people are made to believe. "He has really changed the thinking and mindset of the BDP members," noted Molao.
According to the BDP mouthpiece, Khama has also dashed away fears of people both within the BDP and the opposition that "he will not be someone who can easily be accessible. "We worked closely with him in party meetings and we found a very humble and accommodating leader who will take the country somewhere with his leadership style," assures Molao.
Molao highlights that Khama instilled hard work in the BDP. "He likes people who are loyal to whatever they do and should be trusted to execute such," he says, adding that, "he told BDP members not to allow their personal differences to hinder the progress of the party."
Molao reveals that the recent white wash of the by-elections, which were held in Palapye, Kgalagadi North, Serowe and Gaborone, are a clear example that Khama has also brought unity in the party.
Meanwhile, Molao said there are other challenges which Khama needs to face and address, both in the party and government. "One of the challenges is to keep the party away from factions and prepare for the 2009 general elections united than ever before," advises Molao. He also says that the 4Ds Khama outlined as his guiding principles show that there are some challenges which need a strategy to address them.
Unemployment especially of graduates, problem of land and housing, health matters are also some of the challenges Khama should address.
According to Molao, Khama will also enhance the already existing policies laid down by his predecessors specially youth empowerment, such CEDA Young Farmers Fund and the one at Department of Culture and Youth. "Serowe North West Development Trust is a true example that Khama has the interest of young people at heart," says Molao adding that, "the trust equips young people with various skills and I hope he will do this for the whole country."
Though Khama did not mention HIV/AIDS as one of his challenges, Molao says: "this does not mean the president is ignorant of the negative impacts brought by the disease." He says the fact that Khama appointed assistant minister at the Ministry of Health clearly indicates that he wants delivery of services to the people.
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