Plot to oust Gaolathe threatens national unity

A nation at the crossroads. A nation at a critical juncture. A nation facing, probably, its darkest moment. Pitch dark. The imminent existential threat has become not only topical but eminent.With a President pretending to be immanence, the situation is painfully helpless. The economy is not just tanking; it is taking down everything with it. Graduates in all spheres of education are roaming the streets looking for every available opportunity.None is coming their way. They now realise the promise of 100,000 jobs is but a Fata Morgana. An illusion they have been lured to pursue, but never attain. A delusional quest, to keep them hopeful and restful.A fantastical, fanatical pursuit they have been tricked to believe in, but never relive it. The recently released National Human Development Report (NHDR) for Botswana on youth employment indicates that 38 percent of Botswana youth are unemployed, and an “even higher share not in education, employment, or training.”As a result, our youth are finding solace in CAT (Methcathinone) and venting their frustrations on an equally frustrated populace. At present, the government can barely afford to pay civil servants.It is a dire situation that is moving towards an unmitigable crisis at hyper velocity. Addressing these issues is not just an economic necessity but a moral imperative.But in the face of this ugly economic meltdown and social chaos, President Boko is nowhere to be seen. For him, it is destination after destination. His aircraft touches tarmac after tarmac. He is here, he is there, he is everywhere.His time in the sky far exceeds that of the birds of the sky. Even birds are starting to wonder what kind of bird this is; that never tires. Always expensively dressed from head to toe, one wonders where the money for all these glittering gold and diamond ornaments comes from.Nothing in his obscene elegance would give the impression that he is leading a government that can barely pay its workers. Neither his abundant promises during kgotla meetings reflect this reality.As we speak, some banks have temporarily halted offering home loans due to a lack of liquidity. Take my word, Mr President, this sight of seeing you flaunting your opulence in the midst of abject poverty, will not amuse the populace forever. At one point, it will tire their eyes.Your flattering English and Latin would become rhythmless music to their ears. When that moment arrives, even the most formidable force will not stand in their way. It would be a rapture, never recorded in the political history of this country.Do not be misled by those who keep whispering in your ears that this patience will hold forever. Mark my words, the pace at which everything is on a downward spiral, patience may not be enough to hold things together.As if that is not gloomy enough, media reports allude to a nefarious plot to oust Ndaba Gaolathe as Vice President to be replaced by Moeti Mohwasa, Minister for State President. You heard me. Gaolathe replaced by Mohwasa!Without any malice is that not like replacing Windows 10 with Windows 2000? According to media reports, this plot is hatched by those in the proximity of the President with the sole intention to have unfettered access to the last remaining thebe in the public purse.If this plot, which is reported to be at an advanced stage, materialises, it would carry far-reaching implications for our national unity. But let us be reminded that it would not be the first time President Boko throws Gaolathe under the bus.It would just be a replay of events leading to that blood-spilling BMD congress in Bobonong, where Boko openly supported the Sidney Pilane faction over Gaolathe. It was not long before Pilane and Boko went into a bitter fight in the courts of law.I am of the view that as a nation, we are pinning our hopes on Gaolathe to thoroughly apply himself and save our economy from sinking to rock bottom. At least that's what I suppose. I do not think there is someone out there who pins this mammoth task to either Boko or Mohwasa.That is, if this economy were to totally collapse, we would surely point fingers at Gaolathe, not at these two. Even his father, Baledzi Gaolathe, would turn in his grave, feeling very let down by his son. I doubt, the same cannot be said of these two.Besides his credentials, Gaolathe represents political diversity and inclusion. If my history serves me right, he is the first Kalanga to rise to the position of Vice President. This not only serves to inspire confidence in Kalanga kids, but it is also an inspiration to all those considered ‘minority’ groups.For the longest, the political executive of this country has not accurately captured and tapped into our demographic diversity and talent. The executive leadership has predominantly been centred around the so-called ‘major’ tribes.Therefore, ousting Gaolathe carries the potential to reverse the gains we have made as a nation to keep tribalism and ethnic nationalism latent to a point of non-existence. The plot, if it materialises, carries a serious threat to national unity. Therefore, President Boko and his associates must think deeply about it.

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Plot to oust Gaolathe threatens national unity