Authored by Speaker of Parliament
Margret N. Nasha, “Madam Speaker Sir” has without a doubt ruffled a few
feathers in the past weeks since its release. In this memoir MmaNasha as we’ve
fondly come to know her shares with us the achievements and disappointments in
her somewhat extraordinary life. While the book is no literary marvel in the
sense of its basic writing, MmaNasha’s honesty makes it a good enough read.
In this Memoir the iconic woman
leaves no stone unturned. She freely discusses her childhood, that of her
children and even her ex-husbands adultery and her criminal dealing with it.
It’s hard to imagine the respectable Speaker of Parliament throwing a pile of
bricks at someone’s house but still quite humorous.
However, her chapters on her
family (including the other woman) show a side to MmaNasha that young girls in
our country need to see, that even she is a woman. It puts her within reach,
makes her relatable giving inspiration to young women that beyond their dirty
laundry, cheating boyfriends, controlling men and beautiful children is
something that belongs solely to them.
It is un-debatable that Madam
Speaker, Sir was a necessary book in our society today. Not only in reminding
young women that she is amongst those who broke the barriers that we are
allowing to be reintroduced in our lives, but also in reminding us that
Botswana is a democracy. That, within that democracy is the freedom of speech.
While MmaNasha now faces
criticism for openly discussing the politics of the ruling party, President
Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s leadership style, and secret missions she
participated in during her years long servitude as a Minister one cannot
dispute that she has reminded the country of freedom of speech. In this book
she discusses the compliance of BDP members in advising the president, confirms
the existence of fractions in the party which has been whispers in the society.
Although she does expose the deceiving and destructive nature of these
fractions, there is nothing to be shocked about.
MmaNasha has shown herself to be
a revolutionary, releasing a book that could quite possibly end her political
career on such an important year. What this book does tell us about her is that
she is here for the people and above all for herself. Madam Speaker, Sir is a
book that was owed to each and every Motswana, regardless of political
affiliation, age and gender, and quite frankly it would be impossible to
forgive MmaNasha if she had never published it.
Here is a link to an interview Dr. Nasha did with Echoe newspaper where she discusses Women and how we need to stop being apologetic for our ambition. P.S she has amazing nails too. :)
