Mandela receives honorary doctorate - Elections '99 - Sustainable Democracy

GABORONE, 14 October 1999
Former South African President Nelson Mandela today extolled Botswana as an exemplary African democracy that has risen above the generalisations of gloom and doom that are often associated with the continent.

Receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from the University of Botswana at the national stadium, Mandela said Botswana, a nation of 1.3 million people, served as "a guiding star" to South Africa's own quest for a
non-racial democratic order in 1994.

"The temtpation to pessimistically paint the entirety of Africa with one generalising brush was so eloquently given the lie by the case and example of Botswana", mandela told a sun-kissed crowd, cheering his every word.

Botswana, which has embraced multiparty democracy since independence from Britain in 1966, goes to the polls on saturday, October 16.

President Festus Mogae conferred the degree on Mandela in his capacity as Chancellor of the University but did not deliver a speech. Sir Ketumile Masire, who retired as President of Botswana in 1998, was among the
dignitaries present.

Tight security, complete with armoured cars and anti-aircraft guns ringed the stadium as the ceremony, attended by Diplomats, ministers academics and
several hundreds of people, was in progress.

Mandela pointed to Botswana's impressive economic growth-one of Africa's leading economies-as having fore-shadowed the continent's positive showing in recent years in the way of recovery.

Africa had a lot to learn from how Botswana had blended traditional systems of governance with the modern models of democracy without difficulty-a boon for the rebirth of the continent, he said.

"This African Renaissance will exactly have to dig deep into the wells of traditional African wisdom and experience, while responding in modern ways to the challenges of our contemporary world", Mandela said.

Learning, science and scholarship were important for the continent to achieve the Renaissance, he said, echoing the clarion call for an African revival often sounded by incumbent South African President Thabo Mbeki.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana Professor Sharon Siverts said the doctorate was conferrred on Mandela in recognition of his "commitment to the struggle for freedom, equality and justice as well as the miracle
achievement of post-apartheid stability in South Africa and the region..."

Mandela provided a bright spark in what has generally been a low-key electoral environment. Tomorrow(friday), however, much activity is
anticipated from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party(BDP)and the two leading opposition parties the Botswana Congress Party(BCP) and the Botswana National Front (BNF).

President Mogae, according to BDP Executive Secretary Botsalo Ntuane, will lead a motorcade through the city in a final fanfare that culminates in a
rally.

Local officials here say it is traditional for all parties to enliven the situation with a motorcade, which apparently is an indicator of the viability of one's support.

"The longer the motorcade, the more attention it draws and the more people attend the rally", said a senior BDP official. The BDP, the dominant force
since 1966, is tipped to win most of the 40 elective seats especially following a recent split in the opposition.

The BCP held 11 seats in the last parliament, the BNF 2 and the rest were occupied by the ruling party. Four additional members of parliament are elected by the National Assembly. (SARDC)