Parly’s draconian policy taints BWSpeaks
Parliament launched an online platform called Botswana Speaks (BWSpeaks) last Thursday that serves to link Members of Parliament (MPs) digitally with citizens. It is quite a commendable development on the part of Parliament because it brings together constituents from all corners of the country into one digital space. The aim of the platform is to leave no one behind in the democratic process as it embarks on its drive towards propelling Botswana’s digital transformation. During the launch, various speakers took turns to highlight that the world is gearing towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). “Botswana is not going to be left behind because we have made it our commitment to transform from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy by leveraging the opportunities offered by ICTs,” Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane revealed during the launch. But the new policy by Parliament, which blocks MPs from attending its seating while outside the country, is significant regress in this marked digital evolution. The policy washes away the positives of broadcasting and streaming of Parliament proceedings on digital media and halts BWSpeaks before it even sets off.
What is shocking is that in government’s Reset Agenda, one of the key objectives is mindset change and according to Tsogwane this “talks particularly to embracing change and new ideas”. Now how can one embrace change and new ideas with policies such as these? How can we build a responsive Parliament when we not only fail to harness but also utilise technology? How can we put together an inclusive digital network when Parliament is still shutting members out just because they happen to be outside the country? The same 4IR the government is preaching about is a blend of technologies that blur the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres. BWSpeaks obviously offers legislators a chance to leverage on new technologies, reach out and interact with their constituents in a more dynamic and effective manner no matter where they are in the world, and location should not be a concern that factors in with such offering from such wonders. In the new draconian policy, Parliament wants virtual meetings to be attended by MPs who are in the country, but does Parliament understand the main purpose of virtual meetings? A virtual assembly is when people from around the world, regardless of their location, use video, audio and text in order to meet together online. But it seems like Parliament’s virtual meetings only work within the confines of Botswana.
Virtual meetings are done in real-time without the need for being physically located in the same venue, so what difference does it make whether someone is in Mahikeng, South Africa or Ramatlabama, Botswana? This wayward and backward way of thinking should be shunned if at all as a country we are seriously intentional about 4IR.