By Kabelo Mollo
This last week I had an interesting interaction with a mate on social media. Meichomie as he’s better known made a strong argument that he felt Basotho were not docile and were in fact full of fight as witnessed by the “Bacha Shutdown” and factory workers strike. He asserted that many of our country men are fighting numerous small battles that will ultimately win “the war” we are fighting for change.
Without coming across as a rabble rouser, I can tell you I was vehement in my disagreement with this notion. In fact, I suggested that our people are beyond docile, they are in fact timid. Folks are averse to aggression and even action for fear of losing their jobs, or their lives or even their material possessions. We are under the powers-that-be’s thumbs and that’s just that.
My management style is very much based on output. For as long as a professional is meeting the expectations in their key performance areas, I have no issues with how they go about their daily activities. I believe you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, but interestingly, in this country, anecdotal evidence suggests the workforce responds better to vinegar. People here seem to be driven by the stick rather than the carrot. Perhaps it’s something to do with the way the majority are reared.
Corporal punishment in the homes still being a thing. Many people tell me often that “to spare the rod, is to spoil the child”. That makes sense then why Motlotlehi’s people will simply accept their lot when it’s handed down by higher ups. Whether it’s a dodgy security sector officer, or an unethical employer, or a crooked politician. We simply fall in line and keep it moving.
Not long ago the government randomly decided to bring in a mobile court that would act as something of a “boss of the road”. Authoritarian regimes are known to simply enact laws like that, but that’s beside the point. One minister went on to the airwaves to defend it by saying that beast was going to bring loads of revenue. No real consideration for road users and the actual road they drive on. Nope, just interested in ensuring greater revenue collection.
Not long after that, we learned that we would need to register all our electronic communication devices. The most Draconian of laws. The United States representatives in the country registered a strong concern owing to those new laws. Many of us in the media and digital media spaces also registered our discontent at the over reach of our law makers, but aside from that it’s been relative silence from the citizenry. People might complain on social media, or in bars, perhaps even have heated debates on terrestrial radio stations and in public transport, but an actual uprising? Nope!
Many of us have been inspired by the events occurring in Eswatini. To see our fellow brethren standing up for what they believe in, and drawing a line in the proverbial sand has been both heart warming and disheartening as we witnessed the heavy handed response from the authority’s. I wondered to myself whether Basotho would ever get to that stage again. I don’t wish violence and loss of life on anybody!
Peaceful confrontation is by far the better outcome, but confrontation is necessary! As citizens of this country we continue to be taken for granted by all and sundry. Employers, lawmakers, even retail operators seem to have little regard for us. In response we carry on fairly nonplussed.
Out of nowhere some amongst the political elites have decided that a truth and reconciliation effort is requisite in order for a perception of unity to prevail. With a scarcity of detail I’m not able to comment on this development comfortably, but my cynicism won’t allow me to believe that politicians aren’t doing this for their own nefarious ends. I wonder what genuine good might come from it, but much water must still run under that bridge. Once again that debate is being had, and Basotho will be expected to simply comply with what the higher ups decide, and comply they will.
Meichomie may take offence at the suggestion that ours is a docile society, but I stand firmly by that idea, and as I said, will go even further and call us a timid bunch.
