The BRP is a beacon of hope for the majority who have been left behind by the current regime for many decades, says Biggie Butale.
With crucial elections coming up later in the year, Biggie Butale President of the Botswana Republic Party believes his party deserves a fresh look and could be more than a better a better alternative to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party that has dominated politics in the Southern African nation since independence.
From complacency to unfulfilled campaign promises, and a slow but steady rise in corruption, President Masisi and the ruling party have not delivered for the people of Botswana, says Biggie Bitale.
“The BRP is a movement of the people. It is a beacon of hope for the majority who have been left behind by the current regime for many decades. The party is here to remind other like-minded movements that as leaders it is our responsibility to initiate sustainable development through our economic transformation reforms and policies,” Biggie Bitale says in an interview with PAV.
How would you sum up the socio-economic and political situation of Botswana as of January 2024?
Currently, Botswana’s socio-economic status is in dire straits. The education system has seen better days, and the Government health facility pharmacies are bare. There are high rates of youth unemployment and other societal ills that need tackling urgently that are bedevilling the country.
Over the years Botswana has enjoyed high economic growth rates coupled with a stable democratic set-up. Of late, it has become clear that we ought to redefine the word democracy. Politically, Botswana has had one party at the helm of Government since independence in 1966. 50-plus years still depending mostly on diamond exports does not augur well for the future of the country. Our politics has also changed since there is less tolerance of political opponents. Being an effective opposition politician automatically qualifies one to harassment and “special” treatment, you become a target!
You have led the Botswana Republic Party (BRP) since November 2023. Can you shed light on the party and what it stands for?
The Botswana Republican Party is a new dispensation that promises the citizens of Botswana better lives through progressive politics. The party strives to grow the country's economy and bring about sustainable development as opposed to promises to just increase salaries and allowances to all and sundry, we believe that every vote for us is an investment towards ameliorating Botswana’s socio-economic woes. We stand for respect for human rights and social justice.
People are curious about the political journey that culminated in you creating and leading the BRP.
My leadership traits and influence in Botswana politics are what made me who I am, and I have no doubt that many people in Botswana want me to be their leader.
Of Course, the journey hasn't been an easy one, and only leaders with the interests of the people at heart will be persecuted as I have been.
My exit from the ruling party was a result of the concerted dwindling of the democratic space in that party.
Due to being one who aspires immensely to serve the people, the former head of state Ian Khama and I were driven to start the Botswana Patriotic Front. We were subsequently compelled to find a new political home after perceptions of autocracy and a sharp change of policy in the ruling party. The new party we formed grew in popularity and was well on the path to credibly challenging for state power when some supporters of the former President urged him to challenge me for the Presidency, this was a fatal move as many people had said the former President wanted to get back to State house despite his exhausting the Constitutional 10-year limit. From the moment he publicly announced his intentions instability and skullduggery tactics pervaded the party, we spent more time in court then on the campaign trail leading to a large portion of members deciding to leave and form the Botswana Republican Party
I believe the opposition therefore has a great chance to cause an upset, says Biggie Butale.
How can you situate the importance of the BRP in the current political dynamics or context in Botswana?
May we know how prepared the party is for the General elections coming up later in 2024?
As a political leader having done this before when I was the founding President of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), I can confidently attest that the BRP is more than ready for the upcoming elections. We are not starting from scratch as some may think. Most of the members from my previous political home and other political parties have joined us and we are expecting more to do so in the lead up to the polls. Our candidates for both parliamentary and council seats are also being mentored by myself and the Vice President who have both been down the elections and Government road paths before. Our political ideas encapsulated in our manifesto have also captured the imagination of the populace.
What is your assessment of the leadership of President Masisi, how has he fared so far as President of Botswana?
President Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi could have been a better leader given the era in which he ascended to the presidency. Batswana are generally not unreasonable people. All Batswana need is promised deliverables that can change their lives and the next generation. The current regime has delivered very little of the promises they made since 2019 when they assumed power. It is unfortunate that President Masisi’s reign has been marred by so many controversies. That alone is not good for the country. In my opinion, the President lost track when he failed to address some of the pressing socio-economic challenges facing the nation and instead seemed to obsess on his predecessor. One of his biggest mistakes was spending most of his 5-year term fighting with his predecessor at the expense of national priorities. I believe he could have chosen a more diplomatic path to resolve whatever transpired between him and his predecessor. Secondly Botswana’s Judiciary has suffered credibility perception. Corruption has also skyrocketed in the interim.
The ruling party has dominated politics in Botswana for decades, how do you make the case for your compatriots to give your party and the opposition a chance?
That's an undeniable fact, but over the years the ruling party has lost popularity, and this has translated to a growing hostility towards the regime. I believe the opposition therefore has a great chance to cause an upset, especially now that the opposition has sound leaders who are yearning to liberate the nation of Botswana. It has been almost six decades since Botswana attained independence and the ruling party seems to not only have run out of steam but more importantly of ideas as well. The ruling party also suffered a debilitating haemorrhage when we left in 2019 to form the BPF. Our mission at BRP is very precise-to completely transform lives, change Botswana from being an entirely consumer-based single commodity economy and to move towards industrialization and modernization. Botswana is a natural resource wealthy Nation. We need to systemically harness these resources to benefit ordinary Batswana.
The BRP will move the Anti-Corruption body from the Office of the President so that it reports directly to Parliament, says Biggie Butale.
If the people of Botswana entrusted you and the BRP with the trust to run the country, what would the Biggie Butale-led government look like and how would it govern differently from the current administration?
If given a five-year mandate, my administration will embark on a robust economic transformation to remove the social injustice suffered by Batswana over time. Botswana is the leading and largest diamond exporter by value but the gap between the rich and the poor is very distinct. The economy of Botswana is in the hands of about 5% of the population, of which unfortunately in that 5% majority are not indigenous Batswana. The unemployment issue needs to be tackled and move from a two-digit to a one-digit rate by focusing on some major factor endowments i.e.: harnessing sunshine to produce solar energy, utilising the huge land reserves and water resources to spark an agricultural revolution. Botswana is also blessed with huge Mineral deposits that need to be fully exploited not just for raw export but to be beneficiated here in the country to reduce unemployment and to beneficiate and increase national wealth.
We believe in good Governance and Meritocracy in the Civil service. We will genuinely and sincerely fight corruption not just on paper but with preset targets that will move Botswana up on International Governance indices. We will move the Anti-Corruption body from under the Office of the President so that it reports directly to Parliament. My administration will also strengthen the justice system that was hitherto Botswana’s pride and joy.
You were a Member of the Pan African Parliament from 2014 to 2016, how was the experience like for you and how relevant is that institution in the continent?
I interfaced widely with leaders from across Africa, there was a common thread in terms of democracy, and ideologies-it was quite an experience from 2014-2016. I met many members of different parliaments, and we exchanged notes from our various countries of origin. The common thread I picked up was the near similar, rabid hostility ruling parties had for the opposition.
Looking at the future of Botswana, what makes you optimistic and do you have any fears?
Botswana is like a near blank canvas and has so many untapped opportunities for locals and investors to explore. The economic opportunities range from agriculture to mining and tourism. Botswana has been at peace continuously since Independence, I believe that we can export this peace dividend to the rest of the continent. We have a small well trained and well-equipped army that is well experienced in peacekeeping missions. My government will expand on this to help the rest of the continent more. My fear, like many African countries, is the electoral system that needs to be investigated and strengthened to curb corrupt leaders from manipulating it so as to remain illegitimately at the driving wheel of our countries.
