|
Young People Prepare For 2009 Elections |
|
|
|
Let me begin a discussion about our role as the young people of Botswana regarding the forthcoming general elections in 2009.
It is time we realized that the future of our country is wholly dependent on us. We need to engage fully in the political and socio-economic reasoning in our country.
While most of us have remained detached and complacent concerning party politics, we all know that a mandate to govern a country is given to the political party that wins the majority of votes cast during an election, therefore we should be cautious not to assume that our votes in the general elections cannot make a difference. Indeed they can.
Unfortunately many young people have remained docile. A significant number always complain about the socio-economic hardships and disadvantages that they face in Botswana while on the other hand they are not willing to challenge the policies of the political parties in Botswana so that they will make well informed choices while voting in the general elections.
International political studies suggest that quite a large proportion of young people do not take part in general elections; however these assertions can be changed, especially in Botswana where more than two-thirds of the population is made up of young people. We can go and vote in large numbers for young politicians who I believe are intellectually capable of understanding the dynamics of global economics and the politics of the contemporary world.
Globalization, which is designed to accommodate the secular scholarly pursuits associated with the rise of humanism, and that also serves as a visible manifestation of the culture of consumption, should be confronted by people who are well vested in the ideals of equity, regardless of their political affiliation.
The situation also calls for people who will guard against the marginalization of developing nations like ours by robust imperialist capitalist first world economies through their multi- million dollar economies.
Young people should realize that the world has become one and that the world economies are inter-linked; therefore outdated political rhetoric, which our politicians are so accustomed to using, should be challenged by open minded people who demand accountability and integrity.
Lastly, I urge the youth to read the political parties’ developmental manifestos, e.g. on infrastructure, health, education, disability, the elderly, agriculture, social inclusion, youth, sport and culture, technology, natural heritage, oil, the environment and many more such critical issues.
From David E. Moatshe
Bendigo, Australia.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
