Clearly, Mr Khama need not attend these so-called summits as Mugabe already has enough other African leaders to hold his hands.

But Mugabe fairly or not, fought for land and empowerment of his people, what has Khama done except help the Western Multinational Mining companies bleed Botswana of all its diamonds and minerals ,why would they not pretend he is a hero in Washington and Brussels when he is protecting their interests .Thats why he takes Tsvangirai's side because he identifies with another puppet. No worries Tswanas ,Zimbabweans had that same peace and thought they had all they wanted till the settlers designed bottle-neck economy started to bite. Somebody should spell it to sleepy Africans that democracy is a myth. What good is changing leader after leader without control of your national resources, budget after budget from donor funds instead of tax based ,its just a vicious cycle of poverty and indiginity. What Africans need to do is fight for asset control of their resources (land ,mines etc ) so for aid to be direct ,and so that financial istitutions like world bank can be confronted with reasonable business plans and developmental programs not a begging bowl like what that unintelligent fool Tswangirai did. What Khama should be doing is getting locals invovled in mining and diversifying into involving them in agriculture so to avoid one dimesion economy like Zambia. that way when the investors leave you have no worries .Instead Khama preserves the dominance of the likes of Rio Tinto, Anglo American, BHP etc. and a daydreaming african is smilling from ear to ear that he is a beacon of democracy, he is gone to Washington to be told "well done for keeping Tswanas down and quiet another cheque to your Zurich account is in the post."

Smith, I do agree with you that Mugabe fought for the land and “real” independence for all Zimbabweans. But even I, a patriotic Zimbabwean, have to admit that full realization of a free and fair Zimbabwean society and equally distributed land to the masses has not been realized. Mugabe gets so upset if there is a slight bit of opposition within the country. Why is Mugabe chasing around the MDC members of Tsvangirai? It makes no sense at all.

I’m not fan of President Ian Khama, but Botswana speaks louder than words. Botswana is run properly, diamond money has been used to the benefits of Batswana. It is a peaceful country. Even, Zimbabweans hold decent positions in Botswana, including working for the gov’t. Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans need to open up a bit! We are slowly devaluing ourselves.

Now you are starting to make sense Phiri.

My dearest Smith,

I started reading your comment and when I read about Tzwangirai and you acusing him of holding a begging bowl in front of foreign governments,I got upset because,my dear,

THAT IS WHAT ALL GOVERNORS OR MAJORS OF BIG USA CITIES ARE

DOING!

As I read every week the business press,I know that recently the Governor of Illinois was in China,trying to get some business for his State.

THIS IS CAPITALISM,my dear...YOU OUGHT TO PROMOTE YOUR

COUNTRY,YOUR STATE,YOUR TOWN!

MARKETING STRATEGY IS OF UPMOST IMPORTANCE IN A FREE MARKET ECONOMY!

So...now you are syaing Ian Khama ought to make possible,that LOCAL mining companies,extract the natural resources.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THOSE MACHINERY FOR THE MINING

INDUSTRY COST?

And these mashines are NOT manufactured in Botswana...they come

from Germany,Poland,France and they MUST be paid in €€€€€€€,my dear!

NOBODY exploits Botswana's natural resources!

IT IS A TWO-WAY STREET!

International mining companies(most of them are Australian as Australia is

ALSO very rich on ORES) are investing in Botswana and THEY ARE

OBLIGED TO PAY TAXES!

So...if the Botswana Inland Revenue Service does not enforce the TAX

laws....it is THEIR OWN FAULT!

Ian Khama made some LEGAL mistakes but he and his Presidential

predessesors knew how to use their natural resources for the life

improvement of EVERY Motswana.

Of course there is still room for betterment...the RURAL sector is still underdeveloped and Khama should try to lure more manufactures in the country,even the market is limited.

Hey smith, you have your head screwed backwards. If you want Africa to be successful do away with your greedy dictators that welcome pilfering of your continent by outsiders and by themselves, stuffing their own pockets at the expense of their people. Diamonds and gold are leaving zimbabwe left right and center with the knowledge of Mugabe, the reason why he has his goons posted at those mines killing local Zimbabweans. Instead of minding Botswana's business why not correct your own rotten country and work towards a unity government that will see many Zimbabweans return home some of which will return with entrepreneurial skills that will provide the much needed employment. Some of you are stupid beyond words.