When asked in what capacity he was acting it turned out he was neither a government officer nor a an official of the BDP.
“I approached the President as someone that I know and also as a concerned citizen where I expressed my worry that despite his good deeds the media seem to be bent on portraying him as a bad leader,” he said.
Olopeng also said that he is an ordinary businessman and a friend of the President, a friendship from 30 years ago when the two met in military service.
He left the army in 2000 and ventured into business operations. Even outside the army barracks, Olopeng and Khama’s relationship grew. “I have worked with the President as my boss and as time went on we became close friends,” he said.
He said he gravitated towards Khama because he believed in his style of leadership while he was BDF commander. Olopeng said that Khama was instrumental in introducing social welfare schemes at the BDF.
He said that as a result soldiers were assisted with procuring furniture, housing loans, motor vehicle as well as personal loans.
However, Olopeng insists that he should not be seen as someone who is trying to act as a special advisor to the President.
‘I am not even in government. I am just a private citizen who is concerned,” he insists.
He said that in their discussions the president had complained that in his days as Botswana Defence Force (BDF) commander though he had tried to have cordial relations with the media, asking them to report on the BDF but “also to be careful while reporting on it because it is a sensitive security department, they disregarded his advice and reported even on sensitive matters,” he said.
Olopeng said that the media went on to attack Khama when he was vice president. He said that the idea of convening the meeting had nothing to do with his personal relationship with Khama, but was an overture born out of the love for country and peace between the presidency and the ‘Fourth Estate’. He also said that it is untrue that Khama operates on the advice of his clique of friends outside government to run the country.
He said that the Khama he knows is a man who consults extensively and always involves his cabinet ministers and civil servants in whatever that he does.
“When I came with the editors to the meeting between Khama and editors, I found Communications, Science and Technology Minister, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Dr Jeff Ramsay and others. This showed that the President wanted government officers to be part of the meeting,” he said.
Olopeng said that the criticism against Khama was ‘harsh’ and similar to the tone of the opposition. He went on to say that following meetings held with the editors, the President was disappointed at what he termed media attacks against him. “Criticise, but do it with respect,” he said.
Olopeng, orgininally from Tonota, is believed to have had a hand in making peace between the BDP leadership and MP Pono Moatlhodi when he was castigated for questioning certain actions in Parliament.
Mike Mothibi, a member of the Editor’s Forum that attended the meeting, said that there were no promises of positive coverage except that the editors undertook to adhere to the laid down ethical principles.
“It would be a serious misrepresentation,” said Mothibi. He pointed out that the issues discussed at the meeting were the need for access to the Office of the President and the media bill, among others.
He said that criticism is part of the watchdog role that the media plays.
Mmegi Online