By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Botswana president-elect Duma Boko was sworn-in on Friday after the long-time ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) lost its grip on power in recent elections.
Boko took his oath in front of thousands of citizens and delegates in the capital Gaborone after arriving in an open top vehicle accompanied by flag-carrying soldiers on white horses.
After 58 years at the helm, the BDP lost to Boko’s opposition coalition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in a historic outcome of the 30 October polls
South Africa was represented by Deputy President Paul Mashatile at the occasion, while Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane and Nelson Chamisa of Zimbabwe also attended.
Taking over the reins from incumbent president Mokgweetsi Masisi, 54-year-old Boko’s ascension to become Botswana’s first citizen has been described as a seismic shift for the country.
Boko wants undocumented Zimbabweans to be legalised by granting them temporary work and residence permits.
Botswana hosts the world’s second-largest community of Zimbabweans fleeing their country’s economic woes – and they are often resented, with deportations taking place daily.
The decision is not likely to be popular in the diamond-rich southern African nation, but Boko, 54, who has just unseated the ruling party, said it was part of his plans to revive the economy.
Addressing the nation in his first official speech as president, Boko encouraged those in attendance to give his predecessor — who was often subjected to jeers — some love and praised his willingness to concede power without incident.
He described the change of government in Botswana as a historic moment and stressed the need to avoid squabbles and personal rifts.
“This is indeed a historic moment most humbling and most sobering. It is one of the rarest moments that can only be acknowledged in retrospect,” he said.
He expressed his love for his country and the appreciation they had shown him in electing him to the country’s highest office.
“It gives me great pleasure when I look at you and you look back at me and say that’s my boy. You say so because you raised the boy. You love the boy. You know and understand that this boy loves you,” said Boko in a colorful inauguration speech fueled by optimism but thin on details of his party’s plans for national development.
During the campaign, his party promised to fight corruption and introduce a minimum wage of 4,000 Pula ($302) per month, unemployment allowance and to increase old age benefits and build new enterprises.
A recent Afrobarometer survey shows that unemployment is the most pressing concern for citizens, far surpassing other issues such as health, crime, poverty, education and corruption.
Official statistics show that unemployment has increased to 27.6% in 2024 from 25.9% in 2023.
Diamonds account for 80% of Botswana’s exports but the global downturn in demand for mined diamonds has affected the revenues of Debswana, the mining company the government owns with mining conglomerate De Beers, each with a 50% share.