The Voice (Francistown)
6 May 2008
interview
April 1 was not just a day of change of guard at the presidency. It was also the day the youthful and soft-spoken Thapelo Ndlovu took over the reigns of MISA-Botswana from the outspoken father of the media, Modise Maphanyane. MOSES MARUPING spent time with him.
Q. Allow me to congratulate you on your new job as the national director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Botswana). You must be excited?
I'm over the moon. Obviously to me this is where I've always wanted to be. I assumed leadership of this office on the same day our new president, Sir Seretse Khama Ian Khama took to the high office and I'm proud to be part of such a history.
Q. A job of this magnitude obviously brings with it some huge challenges. How prepared would you say you are and what are some of these challenges?
First let me explain what MISA stands for by saying that it is a non-governmental organization with members in 11 of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries. Officially launched in September 1992, MISA focuses primarily on the need to promote free, independent and pluralistic media, as envisaged in the 1991 Windhoek Declaration. We seek ways in which to promote the free flow of information and co-operation between media workers, as a principal means of nurturing democracy and human rights in Africa. Our role is primarily one of a coordinator, facilitator and communicator, and for this reason MISA aims to work together with all like-minded organizations and individuals to achieve a genuinely free and pluralistic media in southern Africa. Our major challenge is that which many people always want to look at us as an anti-government institution. What we stand for is advocating for the freedom of expression and making sure the media operates within a conducive environment. Right now we're fighting to have the Access to Information Law. Our fear is that without this law journalists will always not be free to deliver on their mandate of being the public's watchdog.
Q. How far, in terms of advocacy, have you gone with this particular law?
We're still struggling to engage in with government as it seems they don't have any interest to dialogue on this matter. It appears to them this is not a priority and this concerns us. We're currently gearing up ourselves on how best we could influence government on this type of change. We're also strongly advocating for the licensing of community radio stations that our legislators seem are not eager to offer us. Despite the many huddles, we strongly feel will get there someday. All we are saying is let's take the media right to the people.
Q. Prophets of doom have in the past argued that community radio stations might marginalize people or tribes thus fueling tribal wars or acrimony. Your comment...
In a way that could be a legitimate concern but I think we have seen this happen in other countries and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Currently what we see is satellite radio stations belonging to government media and this is not what we want. We want communities to have their own broadcast mediums.
Q. Before ascending to the high chair of being a media advocate and activist, what were you doing back then?
Just recently I was working as Information and Research Officer for MISA. But in the past I've been an editor of the now defunct Mokgosi newspaper. I have also worked as a Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Education. I'm also a Board member of the Press Council of Botswana and I've also been the President of Writers Association of Botswana. Largely let me just say I've always been a media activist. I'm also a trained teacher.
Q. Is this what you've always dreamed of?
As a matter of fact, yes. I was born a media person. From a very tender age I've always been an avid newspaper addict. I remember at boarding school that whenever people jumped the fence to go and indulge in alcohol and other societal ills I would also scale the fence just to go buy newspapers. I used to read The New Nation and Weekly Mail. I also participated in a lot of drama. During my teaching days, I used to freelance a lot, especially for Mmegi. I freelanced for the paper for 10 years until a job break came at Mokgosi. With Mokgosi, we knew from the start it was a risk but we persevered up until we shut down. I'm quite happy for the experience I gained at this vernacular newspaper though.
Q. Do you think there's room for a vernacular newspaper?
Yes indeed. My feeling is that a lot of our people are kept out of the media because of the language barrier. Setswana is spoken throughout the country and it doesn't make sense that we don't have a single medium that communicates to the people in this language except for Radio Botswana. We can also afford to have mediums in many various languages spoken by many people.
Q. Do you think as journalists we need to be afraid, especially with the new arm of government, which has gone on record saying the local media is undisciplined?
Yes, I think we need to be very afraid. The new organ of government (Directorate on Intelligence and Security) raises these fears as we all know that the media are going to be the first victims hence our quest to continue advocating for transparency. Our argument is that the media has no business sleeping with government. The moment they do this they become complacent and there won't be anyone to watch over government. All we are saying is that there has to be some form of space between the media and government. I think the entire security organ is a recipe for disaster. I want the media to come together and discuss these disturbing matters. This issue should be closely monitored and not be allowed to overspill.
Q. The so-called veteran journalists often argue that the standard of journalism has gone down compared to theirs in the past. Your comment...
I don't agree with such statements as I believe today's journalists are faced with many challenges. Today you find that even the society knows more than you do as a writer and it is always best to be ahead of the people you're writing for. Our media has grown both in terms of numbers and quality. Even the content itself has improved. What bothers me though, is the new breed of journalists who have turned to Public Relations and just because they are basking in the comfort zones of the corporate institutions with huge salaries, they start blaming or pointing an accusing finger at those they've left in the industry.
Q. What is your view on the new Liquor Act?
I believe in civic liberties and in people being free. You cannot guard people up to their bedrooms. This new law is rubbish as it erodes people's right and freedom. How can you come up with a law which stifles the vibrancy of the country's tourism?
Q. How do you relax?
I read a lot and also do watch TV. I'm also a creative writer who has co-published a Poetry anthology as well as a book on literary terms. I've also helped published many other books.
Q. Are you married?
Not yet but I can tell you I'm engaged and I have a one year-old boy. I shall be getting married soon and I'll make sure you're invited.
Q. Do you have any last words?
I just want the media to work together in unison. We're the only people who are going to regret in future. People should look at the media as helping in the development of the country.
PERSONAL PROFILE
FULL NAMES: Thapelo Ndlovu
D.O.B: 21 August 1971
P.O.B: Gaborone but my home is Molepolole
FAV FOOD: Traditional Setswana food
CURRENTLY READING: 'Some of my friends are White' by Ndumiso Ngcobo and Thabo Mbeki's autobiography (The Deferred Dream).
CURRENTLY DRIVING: Kia Sportage
MENTOR: Everyone I meet in life who might either contribute anything positive or negative in my life.
HIGHEST ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Diploma in Secondary Education
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Well am sorry to derail from the topic of discussion .... just wanted to alert you guys to something that am really not sure wheter it is illegal or legal. Was browsing the internet about my beloved country and went to the e-bay website.I saw the Botswna monetory notes being sold......there was of course some notes which are no longer in circulation but some are still in circulation.As i do not want to accuse the seller falsely without prior knowldge of what the law says on the issue o whether the notes are actually authentic or not , I just wanted you to visit this site to see if am just being paranoid or over protective of my country over nothing.As you know 'ga a bo motho go thebephatshwa' Please check and if there is anything illegal alert the officials.I have never seen madi a rona a le mo marketting like Zimbabwe. Website :ebay.co.uk/Botswana ntibisa Batswana betsho .........as musch as am aresidnet in the uk I love my country with passion and will help my government to maintain zero tolerance to fraud. I do apologise in advance if this is not what i think it is.