Masisi: which way to State House?

Let us consider one of the first Ernesto’s of 2018, which was published in January when we returned from the holidays. It went something like: ‘When he relocates on March 31st to the State House, Botswana’s 8th Vice President will make the shortest travel anyone can ever make. At present our VP is separated by one or two houses from the State House. If he were to enter State House from behind using Khama Crescent, certainly he’d not take five minutes to reach the pinnacle of his political career; but if he enters at the front then he’ll need to use Khama Crescent; join President’s Drive and then Independence Avenue and finally North Ring Road. Or he may use Khama Crescent; join Queens Road then turn at Independence Avenue and finally North Ring! Whichever way, entering the State House from the front for Masisi is going to prove a long-winded and arduous task, as opposed to the swift and short back entrance! But, for the prospects it portends, I believe Masisi will prefer the grand front gate entry. He also certainly will want to use Khama Crescent; President’s Drive; Independence Avenue and North Ring route to reach his destination. This seems the most politically-correct route for any independent-minded patriot! Since he is succeeding President Ian Khama, it’s axiomatic that he must first join Khama Crescent; and as a sign he’s assuming the reigns of Head of State, he must travel on President’s Drive and to affirm his ambitions post 2019, he must join Independence Avenue and finally drive the shortest distance on North Ring to State House’. It’s significant that as we close 2018, we reflect on these musings. Personally, I am enthralled by President Masisi’s steadfastness. He has since taking the Oath of Presiddency in April 1, 2018 demonstrated through words and actions that he’s a man on a mission.In the aforegoing article, I had posited that rather than enter the State House using the back gate along Khama Crescent, he must instead opt for the long-winded route which, would take him through President’s Drive; Independence Avenue and finally North Ring to the front gate of the State House. Alternatively he can use Queens Road; Independence Avenue and the North Ring to enter at the front gate. It’s gratifying to realise that up to this day - (I hear the State House refurbishment is work in progress) - Masisi has spurned the back gate entrance and opted for the long-winded front-gate entry to the State House. Although he has not yet executed the grand entrance, it’s a safe bet to say, he wields the ace in the card game. Like a great chess maestro, his pieces are strewn throughout the board threatening a damning checkmate on his opponent, and how sweet is the victory when the vanquished is injustice personified? The front-gate entrance, when it finally comes to pass, will affirm Masisi’s position as the master of all he surveys beyond any doubt. Then shall he have his foes under his feet; but rather than revenge, vengeance and provocation, he’ll throw his enemies into a vortex of derision by opting for concialiation; pacification and appeasement! Of-course the gullible masses that are swayed to and fro by any and every shifting wind will be yearning for retribution – but he who sits on the throne must embody justice, he cannot be a purveyor of degenerate values! The signs are evident for all to see; even the blind man can see that Botswana’s train has finally got back on the path to democracy in which citizens have become active participants in their own self-determination. The blind man sees that even the foreign investor is interested in returning to Botswana; yes, corruption is systemic, but the rule of law promises to restore order, we can hope that justice will ultimately be seen to be served. We trust in our national security apparatus. We trust it is apolitical and will remain so ad infinitum. But should criminal elements – such as happens when trusted intel officers both in DIS and Wildlife department connive to remove watermarks on rhinos; or when they collude to engineer mass slaughter of wildlife in their campaign to discredit the current administration – if these are proven to exist, we urge that the full might of the law take its course. This is how we sign off 2018, confident in the bright gains promised by tomorrow – we are pathetic optimists if you ask me!