Story by: Tsaone Basimanebotlhe
Botswana: Dr. Kesitegile Gobotswang, a member of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), the country’s main opposition party, expressed concerns over the widespread institutionalization of corruption and mediocrity in Botswana. According to him, there is a lack of integrity, transparency, ethics, and accountability. While responding to the budget speech in Parliament earlier this week, he pointed out that the early signs of the current administration’s performance are not encouraging.
“You promised strict adherence to financial prudence when you assumed office. Remember, ‘actions speak louder than words,'” he remarked.
Criticizing the ruling party, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Gobotswang accused the government of making key appointments, such as the deputy director of the Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS) and the chief justice, in secret. However, he clarified that this does not imply that those appointed were unqualified, but rather that the process lacked transparency and failed to meet the necessary standards of merit.
He further advised the government to move away from a system of nepotism, where one’s position is based on connections rather than qualifications, stating, “What matters should not be who you know, but what you are.”
Additionally, Gobotswang criticized the UDC for failing to fulfill many of the promises it made to the electorate in 2024. Some of the unfulfilled commitments include a monthly living wage of P4000.00, a P2500.00 monthly allowance for tertiary students, a P1800.00 monthly old age pension, and a 30% reduction in water and electricity tariffs.
