by Phyllis Johnson – SANF 08 No 27
While the international spotlight has focused on Zimbabwe, its neighbours in Botswana quietly changed their President almost unnoticed, through an election in Parliament.
Festus Mogae, who has been president for the past 10 years, resigned on 31 March, handing over to the former vice-president, Ian Khama, who is the eldest son of the late founding President and father of the nation, Seretse Khama.
Ian Khama has been vice-president for the past decade, and chairperson of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) since 2003. He is a graduate of Sandhurst, the officer training college in Britain, and was previously commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
Khama, 55, who took over from Mogae, 69, on 1 April, said in his inaugural address that there would be no policy change but his roadmap would be “underpinned and characterised by the principles of Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline.”
He moved quickly to allay any fears of change, saying he shares the same objectives with his predecessor, and there would be no “radical changes”, although he noted that “leadership change can be a time of unease.”
“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.
“Batswana have every right to reflect with pride on four decades of independence, stability and major economic and social development,” Khama said.
“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.”
Khama’s inauguration was attended by two former presidents (Mogae and his predecessor, Sir Ketumile Masire), traditional leaders, judges, members of parliament and the diplomatic corps.
He chose as his Vice-President, the former Foreign Minister, Mompati Merafhe, who is also his former Commander in the BDF.
He retained the respected finance minister, Baledzi Gaolethe, and returned to cabinet for senior heavyweights who wield power in the party. Daniel Kwelagobe is the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration while Ponatshege Kedikilwe is Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources.
Four women are in cabinet out of 16 members, for a total of 25 percent. All are senior and have been in cabinet before. They hold the influential positions of local government; health; communications, science and technology; and youth, sports and culture.
The BDP has been in power for more than 40 years since Botswana, a former British protectorate, gained independence in 1966, and goes to the electorate every fives years.
This dominance is likely to continue in the face of a weak and divided opposition. Khama, who is also chief (kgosi) of the Bamangwato, will be a popular candidate to lead the BDP into the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2009.
Botswana is the world’s largest producer of diamonds and has recently ventured into diamond cutting and polishing. Although sparsely populated, the country also attracts tourists to view its spectacular wildlife, notably in Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional economic community of 14 members states, has its headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana.
“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,” Khama said on taking office.
“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.
” 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 focussed 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.
“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.”
