I miss home like anybody else – Blackbeard
But I have work to do
Roy Blackbeard, the Dean of Botswana Diplomats and Ambassador to the United Kingdom is unapologetic to his critics about being the longest serving diplomat who stayed in one place.
However, by his own admission, just like anybody else, he misses home, but he just cannot just leave as he has work to do. Speaking to The Midweek Sun, during the recent Heads of Mission conference in Gaborone, Blackbeard said he is aware that some people are questioning his long stay in London, but said such people overlook the fact that he is serving about 11 countries.
He was appointed Ambassador to UK in 1998 after voluntarily stepping down as Member of Parliament for the then Serowe North Constituency. He is currently the longest serving Botswana Ambassador having lived in London for 18 years now.
Asked if he does not miss home, he responded: “I think everybody misses home. I will come home when the right or appropriate time takes plan. It is not a case of not wanting to come, it has been alleged that I am favoured. I do not believe that. I believe that I have work to do, I maintain that I do my best, if I fail, then I certainly would come home.
“But as I say, what you have to understand is that, people look at me as the Ambassador to the United Kingdom. However, I am not only accredited to the UK. I cover Israel, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, Rumania, Ireland, Croatia, Slovakia and there are challenges that need to be attended to. I am currently the Dean of the Commonwealth. I think all those bring a lot of advantages and work.
“But, if I am not successful, I take it that I will see the writing on the wall and come home. I miss home like anybody else, home is home.” His decision to step down as MP enabled the then President Festus Mogae to appoint Khama who was holding the fort temporarily for three months to be the substantive vice president after winning the by-election for the constituency. The law states that one must have a constituency to be appointed vice president, and not be a specially-elected.
Since Blackbeard stepped down, many politicians have speculated that he struck a deal with President Mogae which was endorsed by Khama that any BDP MP holding a constituency who could resign his position to pave way for Khama would be highly rewarded.
On many occasions, both opposition and ruling MPs asked what was so special about Blackbeard to be allowed to stay in one post for so many years. But, to date answers from different Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation have never changed. They say they have never found it necessary to move Blackbeard.