Boko’s honeymoon is over

For the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government to win the hearts of many Batswana, they must prioritise three issues. They must keep their election promises, avoid things that they have criticised the previous BDP administration for and finally, their conduct, both inside and outside Parliament, must be exemplary. 

Election promises 

By far the largest opposition party is the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) which has 15 seats, and its president, Dumelang Saleshando, is the Leader of the Opposition (LoO). Well known for his oratory skills, he will certainly demand accountability from government. And he has a lot of firepower in his party including Taolo Lucas, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, Goretetse Kekgonegile, Carterpillar Hikuama, Kenny Kapinga among others. And like the Syrian rebel forces who recently brought down dictator Bashar al-Assad, Saleshando will not hesitate to launch missiles into the government benches! Saleshando has demanded that Boko fulfil all his promises notwithstanding that government coffers are almost empty, including urgent action to curb corruption. There is no room for excuses! 

For Boko, the honeymoon is over. Already there is growing criticism for the absence of key election pledges in Boko’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). These include raising student allowances, increasing the old age pension to P1 800, the introduction of a P4 000 minimum wage, and the creation of 500 000 jobs. Prior to the election, Boko had promised to increase old age pension by the end of November 2024. He has already broken the promise. 

Creating jobs was a major issue ahead of the 2024 elections. Boko now says he wants legitimise undocumented Zimbabwean migrants with temporary resident and work permits. In so doing, he believes that Zimbabweans can pass on skills, such as carpentry and welding, onto Botswana youth. Young people in Botswana have made it quite clear that they strongly disapprove of such migrants since they take jobs away from locals. And giving Zimbabweans these permits will surely open the floodgates and thousands may come here in search of greener pastures. Rather than focusing on reducing high unemployment rate in Botswana, we will be helping to solve Zimbabwe’s jobs crisis. 

In reality, the only way locals can acquire practical skills is for them to attend courses at Brigades or vocational training centres where they will obtain recognised qualifications which can land them jobs. A carpenter who has a Trade Certificate is more employable than someone who claims to have ‘acquired’ the same skills by working with Zimbabweans. And if need be, government should build more vocational education institutions. There are no short cuts! 

The UDC has promised to create 500 000 jobs in the next five years. Only time will tell if the UDC government will it be able to win the trust of the electorate and create all those jobs which is equivalent to around half of the present workforce. 

Much to his credit, Boko also promised an inclusive government. In choosing his ministerial team, Boko invited Edwin Dikoloti, the Independent MP for Mmathethe-Goodhope, plus two Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) MPs – Lawrence Ookeditse and Baratiwa Mathoothe – to join the team. However, the BCP which is by far the largest opposition party with 15 MPs were not invited into Boko’s cabinet. 

During their time in opposition, the UDC criticised the BDP for electing six specially elected MPs to enhance their power in Parliament through extra numbers. Interestingly, the UDC did not hesitate to elect these six MPs, much to the chagrin of the opposition and Saleshando, who has already complained about not being consulted in the choice of these six specially elected MPs, something which the UDC heavily criticised the BDP for before elections. 

Adopt UK example 

The UDC used to criticise former President Mokgweetsi Masisi for not attending parliamentary sessions except when he gave the annual SONA. Now are we seeing this with Boko? The UDC should consider the example of the UK Parliament on the way it carries out parliamentary business. Each week, when Parliament is in session, Prime Ministers Question Time is held on Wednesdays and is supervised by the Speaker. 

The session lasts for about one hour and begins with the LoO asking the Prime Minister (Leader of the ruling party and Head of Government) questions relating to important issues of the day. There may then follow a very lively exchange of opinions between the two. For example, in one recent session, the LoO, Kemi Badenoch – leader of the Conservative party – asked the Prime Minister, Keith Starmer, why immigration is still rising when he promised that he would bring down the numbers of immigrants entering the UK as promised in his election campaign. Then after about twenty minutes, other MPs in the House are free to question the Prime Minister. These questions are asked in turn; one question from the government benches, then one from the opposition benches, and so on. 

UDC conduct 

Prior to the 2019 elections, Boko was criticised for being arrogant, pompous and proud. Many saw as insulting remarks that he directed at Masisi during a presidential debate. As the saying goes: Pride comes before a fall. And the Bible also says: For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. As the 2024 election drew closer, Boko humbled himself and many of his critics voted for the UDC. He told Batswana that, like any human being he is fallible and so would gladly seek the advice of others. He certainly endeared himself to many Batswana. The UDC should bear in mind that they got into power through the youth vote. By nature, young people are very emotional, fragile, impatient, and may be less loyal to a political party than older more mature people who may be more forgiving if their party makes mistakes. 

So, one day, crowds of young people here may be dancing and ululating in the streets praising Boko’s name. But should the UDC continue to delay, or backtrack, on their election pledges then they may be in for a rude awakening. And giving excuses, such as there is no money, will not resonate with the youth – they want action now! 

Support will, without doubt, fall away, and the youth may sing a different tune in five years’ time by showing the UDC the door. As the saying goes, the only constant in life is change. The UDC government has to walk the talk or face the music!