Why Khama endeared himself to Tswana despite many follies

Botswana's President Ian Khama waves to the crowd as he leaves after a rally in his village Serowe on March 27, 2018. PHOTO | FILE | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Khama’s 10-year term limit expired about 18 months before the election.

  • Despite Botswana maintaining her position as Africa’s least corrupt country during Khama’s tenure, claims of sleaze emerged in his final term.

  • Some senior members of his cabinet were either instigators or beneficiaries of the reported corruption.

  • Economic growth under Khama’s presidency averaged four per cent.

GABORONE,

Ian Khama quietly left the Botswana Presidency on Sunday in a departure steeped in ignominy.

His two terms at the helm of the diamond-rich nation, which ended on April 1, were laced with controversies.

Khama succeeded Festus Mogae in 2008 after serving as vice-president since 1998. He was elected for a five-year term in 2009 and re-elected in 2014.

In Botswana politics, presidential terms have become disconnected from electoral cycles.

Khama’s 10-year term limit expired about 18 months before the election. The country goes to the polls next year.

MINE CLOSURE

Political analyst Thulani Ndlovu singles out the closure of BCL mine in the small town of Selebi Phikwe as a blot on Khama’s record.

The single biggest mass evaporation of jobs in Botswana’s history came under his rule.

More than 4,300 workers found themselves on the streets when his Cabinet decided to close the mine.

“The fact that he actually presided key meetings that reached the decision makes it worse,” Ndlovu says.

Yet despite this and the minimal economic growth, Khama endeared himself to the Batswana.

Senior journalist Mbongeni Mguni once said of Khama: “He demystifies the office of the president”.

His chats with Batswana on Facebook, the Sunday walkabouts, riding his motorbike, flying planes and sitting at the University of Botswana stadium in the national football team jersey removed the complexities of that office.

“He built houses for many, not using government funds. Naturally, people fall in love with such a leader,” says Montana Gabolekwe from Tonota, north of Botswana.

His farewell tour saw him receive three cars valued at more than $300,000, a $6,000 bicycle, more than 1,000 cows, 500-plus chickens and 200 sheep.

In addition, his cabinet gave him a pistol, a ranch, a tractor and some shares in the country’s main telecoms company.

“It was expected that he would drive the process of diversifying the economy. Unfortunately, what you had in Khama was a philanthropist. He came up with short-term initiatives to endear himself with the people. He was a Father Christmas,” says political analyst, Oteng Chilume.

LEAST CORRUPT

Despite Botswana maintaining her position as Africa’s least corrupt country during Khama’s tenure, claims of sleaze emerged in his final term.

Some senior members of his cabinet were either instigators or beneficiaries of the reported corruption, with his name dragged into one of the court cases.

It was claimed that Khama used cash from the proceeds of the $25 million stolen from the National Petroleum Fund to build a house and buy a caravan.

“The little corruption, if I may put it, usually goes unaccounted for in Botswana. Millions have been lost to corruption in many cases, but no one has ever been brought to account. I expect the same for Khama,” says Ndlovu.

Chilume sums up Khama’s presidency: “He was a true example of leaders who come from a place of privilege and don’t understand the dynamics of democracy and good corporate governance.”

He believes Khama’s presidency “was good for the naïve”.

Economic growth under Khama’s presidency averaged four per cent, with a peak of 11.3 per cent in 2013 and a low of 7.7 per cent in 2009.

The extremes were influenced by the performance of mining sector, particularly diamonds, reflecting the economy’s enduring sensitivity to the industry.

Parastatal poor governance and underperformance continued under the former army man.

“The auditor general raised concerns about wastage, accountability, inefficiency and corruption during Khama’s presidency within state owned entities and projects, with billions of pula lost. One got the impression that he protected his Cabinet,” says Mr Ndlovu.