Albert Einstein, between 1907 and 1915, came up with the law of relativity and this law can help us deal and/or comprehend all that happens around us. This law states that; “everything in our physical world is only made real by its relationship or comparison to something.” This simply means that, we live in a world of comparative relationships. Even though relations between Botswana and South Africa were formalised in 1992, with the establishment of representative offices in both countries; the foundation of such relations dates back to during the apartheid era. In 1986, President Sir Ketumile Masire, even though he was against the apartheid regime in South Africa, realised that the Blacks were going to be the most affected by economic sanctions imposed by the Western countries. He said, “Obviously we can’t prohibit the West from imposing sanctions on South Africa and we welcome every form of pressure on the apartheid regime.”

Botswana and other neighbouring countries like Lesotho and Swaziland remained candid critics of apartheid, but they hinged on South Africa’s economic aid. By doing this, was our country betraying the Blacks in South Africa? A point to also note is that, some of our citizens worked in the South African mines. Our government then, despite other underlying reasons, put first the welfare of its citizens. Botswana and many Africa states, slammed apartheid, but fiscal reliance on South Africa resulted in them forming ties still.

Political polarisation in SADC can only but continue to delay negotiated solution in Zimbabwe. The latest stance by the Botswana government in favour of more liberal diplomatic relation with the Zimbabwean government can increase the chances of diplomatic settlement. In this context, both countries stand to benefit tremendously. Talk of killing two birds with one stone.  Government is not an animal but an organ ran by people and this obviously means our government has the ability to change and/or adjust its stance/decision, to best position itself depending of the field of play. Most of the times, such changes are motivated by the magnitude and/or significance of the benefits underlying. Call it relationships.

Should our government put the welfare and rights of Zimbabweans before those of Batswana? No. The welfare of Botswana remains the primary priority of this government and anything else comes secondary. Some may say our government is chickening out and/or is giving in to ZANU PF government. Does our government condone the oppression and violation of human rights in Zimbabwe?

The first stance our government took on Zimbabwe was not only emotional but wrong. How were we ever going sit Robert Mugabe down with the wall of criticism on his government between us? When two people love each other, they persevere through obstacles as a unit not in isolation whereby the other party becomes a spectator in the game he/she is a player in. The art of love being there for each other, and we are there for the Zimbabweans.

Considering that Botswana is only 45 years old, she is a work in progress. Therefore, sometimes the most patriotic thing to do is to criticise constructively because liberty is founded in such ideals. Is this what opposition parties in our country are doing? Are they criticising in order to better our lives or it is a self-serving criticism? Who said we cannot see the good opposition parties are doing when they support the government? Do they always have to be too negative in order to win out hearts? How can we be of any use to the Zimbabwean if we are not in talking terms with them?

This is where I will condemn my government. They were wrong to isolate Zimbabwe. Mugabe only had one option left; to retaliate and this alone worsened the situation in Zimbabwe.

I must admit, I was one of those who supported our government’s tough stance against Zimbabwe. But when I learnt of the planned Botswana and Mozambique oil and coal harbour with a railway line and oil pipeline which will pass through Zimbabwe; I just said; “Oh boy! Are ithabile ka thipa mpeng?” Just like the red sea, which was to be an obstacle before the Israelites; I knew Zimbabwe was our red sea before our economic diversification.

Our president is of military background and that alone makes him a strategist. This is one quality most politicians fail to grasp. Who knows, maybe even his first stance was nothing but a deliberate fluke. Now our relationship with Zimbabwe is like of a newly wedded couple; A new love affair. Law of relativity; “Nothing is good or bad, big or small, until you RELATE it to something”.

Gaontebale Roger Mphafe
Malaysia

By Special correspondent