Last week, we witnessed the recent political avalanche in Botswana, which dislodged power from the country's longest-serving and only ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), in power for six decades. Following the election defeat, the opposition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), took power from the ruling BDP. But that is not the only political tsunami. The ruling party willingly and respectfully handed over power to the Duma Boko's opposition UDC party without any form of disagreement, intimidation or acrimonies. The peaceful transfer of power is rare in Africa's volatile political climate.

Real democracy is not just about the urge for governance and excessive thirst to retain power by all means; instead, it is about listening to the will of the electorate who put the leaders into office.  In the African political arena, where the President or leader enjoys callosal power and control over the security apparatuses and near unrestricted access to the State's coffer, boasted by the bottomless power of incumbency, it is something unique and admirable that the sitting President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi chose democracy, integrity, unity and economic stability of his country over personal ambitions. President Masisi had the power and means to rig the election and bribe the judges to secure his political victory. He chose otherwise.

The single art of statesmanship demonstrated by the outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi has helped avoid anarchy and lawlessness, which could have led to unnecessary loss of lives and properties and slowed down socio-political and economic growth in Botswana. Lawlessness and disrespect for the constitution have caused mayhem in many African countries. Not in Botswana.

Africans - leaders and citizens – have much to learn from Botswana, which acts as a model for Africa. To succeed or make tangible progress, Africa must embrace the concept of destructo-creativity. For a seed to germinate or come to life, it must first die. Ironic that might sound, but it makes sense. In Botswana's political setting, citizens, including leaders, have chosen to make sacrifices (respect for the rule of law, embracement of peace, avoidance of corruption, putting the interest of the country above personal interests, etc), which has led to the creation of an admirable prosperous country. Unless other African(s) leaders learn from the Botswana experience through destructo-creativity, they will remain in the yolk of socio-political and economic stagnation, which has kept the continent in its abysmal State below other continents.  It is time to make Botswana's democracy a model for Africa. Please watch the videos below:

Handover of Power:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7ZBaI-o1Hs

Inauguration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQfd3GxGtuU

Interview with SABC News: https://youtu.be/CME6ji6ZvjY?si=IP5yjCGoxseIFdXE