BotswanaSA Relations: Love on the rocks

Did you know, President Cyril Ramaphosa is in town? Probably you would not even know. If recent relations between the two countries are anything to go by, his visit is more of consternation than anything else.

Bot swana and South Africa have grown as cold as a razor, and as dry as a funeral drum. Day after day, their love turns grey like a skin of a dying man. The two presidents cannot pretend it is alright anymore, because nothing is very much fun, anymore.

It is just a matter of time before each opens their suitcase for their favourite axe. The relations are rock- bottom. As if the drama is not enough, did you see the recent Ramaphosa- Boko handshake?

Let us just assume, it was just the work of usual maverick gatekeepers, that Boko found his way into one of South Africa’s most exclusive events; ANC’s Gala Dinner. Let us also assume that it was just the work of lady luck that Boko found himself seated next to Ramaphosa. Coincidence?

As we speak, Sir Seretse Khama’s children and their spouses have ‘ fled persecution’ in Botswana to settle in ‘ peaceful and democratic’ South Africa. They are basking in the adulation of their ardent companion, Ramaphosa. As to how every etiquette of diplomatic protocol and ‘ good neighbourliness’ were shredded to pieces by our neighbour, to accommodate his ‘ very dear friend’ leaves a lot to be desired.

The position of Ramaphosa in this Khama- Masisi political shenanigan is no longer a matter of assumption. It is unequivocally clear. They are rooting for Ian Khama. In fact, to put it in Bruno Mars’ words, ‘ they’ll catch a grenade for him.’ By the way, did you know Khama is probably the most- covered ‘ personality’ by SABC after Ramaphosa?

Let us not crack our heads over it, let us just say, it is ‘ coincidence’. Did you know that the SABC in all its interviews with Khama has never bothered to give the government of Botswana a right of reply? Once again, let us save ourselves the torture of trying to figure out why, let us just say, it is an editorial error.

There is, therefore, nothing surprising that, on September 3, 2021, the South African National Civic Organization ( SANCO) with probably renta- protester, who are readily available in the streets of Pretoria for the right amount of nyaope, ‘ staged’ a march to our High Commission with some very weird demands.

As to exactly what Ramaphosa seeks to achieve with this move, remains everyone’s guess, including Khama himself. My opinion is that, just like many of Ramaphosa’s actions, the move is nothing more than a function of his ‘ handlers,’ white monopoly capital. As far as I am concerned, there is no other reasonably admissible commonality between the two men besides, common ‘ handlers.’

My view is that, the white monopoly capital which is holding the majority of Black South Africans economically hostage, is not anyhow separable to the one holding the Chobe/ Ngami sector, tourism enclave, hostage. It is one and the same thing hence they are so outraged that President Masisi is calling for indigenous participation in the tourism sector.

The white monopoly capital that has expropriated the tourism sector to itself ardently wants prime tourism areas to solely be its preserve. The same goes for South Africa. The white monopoly capital has expropriated to itself all prime economic sectors to the detriment of the Black South Africans.

What is amazing is how Botswana skilfully exploited the situation to leave Ramaphosa with no option but to show that they are fully behind Khama. Ramaphosa has been given a rope. As to how he uses it, it is up to him.

As things stand, Ramapho s a i s trapped between a rock and a hard place. If one were to call his very precarious situation, a ‘ scandal,’ they would surely be underestimating the gravity of the matter. As to where Ramaphosa was getting $ 4 million ( P42 million) in hard cash, remains a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma and put under a sofa.

Let us save Ramaphosa from embarrassment, by not dwelling on his claim that the millions were a payment for cattle. It does not only sound criminal, but very stupid.