21 Aug 2014

Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Shaw Kgathi has said President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama is not a dictator as labeled by media and some opposition parties.

Addressing a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) rally in Bobonong at Rasetimela ward recently, Mr Kgathi said while opposition parties and private media demonised President Khama as a dictator, reputable and international organisations had showered him with accolades and surveys approved his leadership style.

He said the recent one was a survey carried out by Gallup Organisation, which indicated that 81 per cent of Batswana approved President Khama’s role of handling his job as the President, while 18 per cent disapproved.

Mr Kgathi who is also acting Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration said when broken down, the President enjoyed an 83 per cent approval rating among 15-24 years olds, among 25-34 he received 78 per cent and those 35-44 and 45 and over age group rated him at 83 per cent.

Mr Kgathi said President Lt Gen Khama’s approval rating was the second largest among the sub- Saharan African leaders following that of Mr Boubacar Keita of Mali whose approval rating was 86 per cent.

But Gallup further noted that Mr Keita “was in office for one month at the time of the survey which excluded data from the war torn region of the country.

Further he said the survey recorded that 65 per cent of Batswana had confidence in government as a whole with 67 per cent also expressing confidence in national elections.

“The survey clearly indicates that those that accuse President Khama have no justification but driven by hatred” and commended the President for improving the lives of Batswana especially those that stay in rural and remote areas ever since he came to power.

He also stated that Base Line Profitability Index has in 2013/14 indices ranked Botswana first in the global report making it the world best destination for foreign investors among 112 countries.

On the Rule of Law Index he said Botswana was placed first in Africa and 25th in the world out of 99 countries.

“This refutes allegations that there is no rule of law in the country, highlighting that the country continues to enjoy effective systems of checks and balances, including a fairly independent judiciary and free press,” he said.

The Minister also stated that the report further refutes the allegations of corruption labeled by opposition parties on President Lt Gen Khama saying the report indicates that “corruption remains minimal and all branches of government operate effectively.”

On other surveys, Mr Kgathi mentioned that Transparent and Accountable Governance Index (TAGI) by AfroBarometer has also ranked Botswana first in transparent and accountable governance with 75 per cent agreed that President Khama “never or rarely ignored courts of law in the country.”

With respect to public officials, civil servants were considered the most disciplined on the continent with 63 per cent agreeing that never or rarely went unpunished for abuses.

Mr Kgathi said Botswana was also leading in Social Progress Index ranked second in Africa, the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Frontiers ranking the country 41 ahead of the USA which is at 46.

The MP said it was against this background that Batswana should continue to vote the BDP which was aimed at improving the lives of Batswana and bringing in development and informed residents that President Lt Gen Khama would visit the area on September 4.
At the same rally Serowe West constituency chairman, Mr Pelotelele Tlhaodi launched council candidate for the ward Mr Oabile Moupi. ENDS