02 Jul 2018

In his fond remembrance of the late founding father of Botswana, former Member of Parliament for Molepolole, who served under Sir Seretse Khama’s administration, Mr Daniel Kwelagobe dubs the latter as a true statesman who embodied true democracy.

Speaking at the commemoration of Sir Seretse Khama Day at Serowe Kgotla on July 1, the Botswana Democratic Party veteran spoke highly of the late Sir Seretse Khama, calling him ‘an embodiment of what is commonly described as servant-leadership.’

He said as a leader, Sir Seretse was alive to the fact that despite the higher position in the country leadership hierarchy, he was not a master, but a servant of those who elected him to the position.

 “Here was a man who was born great, but saw the wisdom of humility even as the nation gave him the key to the highest office,” said Mr Kwelagobe, who had served successfully under all democratic Botswana presidents, save for the current, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

 Mr Kwelagobe, who served under the four presidents under various ministries, exalted Sir Seretse Khama for building and encouraging a culture where all matters were subjected to open debate so as to build consensus around the most persuasive argument.

“At the same breadth, the rights of those that differed with the persuasive argument, including differing with Sir Seretse Khama’s viewpoint, were respected,” Mr Kwelagobe ruminated.

The former BDP secretary general, elevated the late Sir Seretse Khama to higher proportions and even quoted from him the statement he deemed profound that, “dictatorships and tyrannical systems of government are hatched and nurtured in the minds of men who appoint themselves philosopher-kings and possessors of absolute truth.”

A true believer in a democratic dispensation where consultation reigned, Sir Seretse Khama is said to have been a builder of nation despite encouraging varying viewpoints.

 In fact, Mr Kwelagobe found that though Sir Seretse Khama interacted with leaders who entrenched one party state in their countries at leadership and friendship level, he would never derail in his convictions of a multi-party state.

Though Sir Seretse Khama and his generation of leaders faced challenged that required from the wisdom, diplomacy and resilience, the son of Kgosi Sekgoma II was cautious not to propel all forces that would divide a nation, according to Mr Kwelagobe, who once worked for Radio Botswana and covered some kgotla meetings addressed by the late renowned statesman.

In fact, Sir Seretse Khama and his generation of leaders considered themselves Batswana first before their tribal allegiances, so said Mr Kwelagobe in his eulogy of his former superior at cabinet and across party structures.

 “We only have to look across African continent to see the tragedy that befell countries in which the political elite emphasised tribal or racial affinity at the expense of national cohesion,” he said, and observed that challenges as civil wars, skewed development planning and large scale corruption resulted due to failure to guard against tribalism and racial tilting.

A selfless and nation builder of repute Sir Seretse Khama’s government reached an agreement with tribal authorities post-independence for mineral ownership rights to be nationalised despite many mineral deposits such as diamonds falling under his reserve.

 Mr Kwelagobe observed that the Sir Seretse Khama’s generation bequeathed to the future generations of Batswana a roadmap that should lead to greater national unity, social harmony and economic progress.

To that, Mr Kwelagobe challenged Batswana that for Botswana to remain a prosperous nation, every Motswana should ‘lay a brick towards building the Botswana that was envisaged by the generation that founded our republic.’

 He cautioned Batswana against taking nation building project for granted, citing that the rise of intolerance and ethnic prejudice that was experienced in the developed world could happen locally. At the same event, Bangwato regent, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane rooted for continued prevailing peace that had forever characterised the country.

He credited Mr Kwelagobe and other politicians for building Botswana. A former schoolmate of his, Kgosi Kgamane recalled that Mr Kwelagobe started his politics whilst still a student at Gaborone Secondary School. That was at a time when the country was still a protectorate, but Mr Kwelagobe was already ahead studying politics, courtesy of books he requested from Mr Englishman Kgabo. ENDS