* Administered by Chief Justice Terence Rannowane at the Gaborone High Court chambers
* And was witnessed by few government officials, pastors, close family members and the media
By Duncan Mlanjira
Duma Boko took an Oath of Office of the President of Botswana at 17h35 yesterday, November 1, to became the sixth leader of Botswana.
That country’s media house, Mmegi reported that the small swearing in ceremony, conducted by the Chief Justice Terence Rannowane at the Gaborone High Court chambers, was witnessed by few government officials, pastors, close family members and the media.
The picture of the simple ceremony attracted the attention of social issues commentator, Idriss Ali Nassah, who posted it on Facebook and commented: “As simple a swearing-in of a president as you’ll see, with minimum cost to the Batswana taxpayer.
He went on to observe that if it was in Malawi, “the budget would have hit a billion kwacha, starting with fuel coupons and big cars” for entourages of top officials; party members and obligatory women to sing and dance — all cartered for at the expense of the taxpayer.
“Then travel and lodging for all judges of the High Court and Supreme Court, who will all be summoned to Lilongwe with their robes and wigs. Also, travel and accommodation for mafumu (traditional leaders) to come and witness the swearing-in.
Police and army allowances for performing at the ceremony — and, and, and…” ended the post.
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Harrineck Waya Phiri immediately responded, saying: “I wish I was a Batswana. Unfortunately, I am NOT!”, to which Spiwe Zulu: “Our priorities are misunderstood or mismatched.”
John Kusedyo said: “We need such kind of people who know that such a post is an opportunity to save and not to slave” while Evison Cizza Nkhoma said: “Malawians live through manipulation. We’ve been manipulated heavily and we’ll hardly heal from this.”
Jerie Mahobe wished what was done in Botswana could be “defined and legislated into a law” in Malawi, saying: “Swearing in ceremony of a president is a government function that must have controls.”
Meanwhile, Newscentral.africa reported that a public inauguration ceremony would be held soon, quoting Boko as describing his new role as “a responsibility one approaches with humility,” while pledging to make good on his promises to the people.
Botswana media house Mmegi reported that the swearing-in comes after Boko, leader of the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), was declared winner of the October 30, general elections earlier in the day.
In a televised address Justice Rannowane declared Boko as the winner just after 14h00, saying: “I congratulate him proudly for the confidence the voters had placed on him and thereby declare Advocate Duma Boko as President.”
The UDC has won 36 seats in Parliament followed by Botswana Congress Party (BCP) with 15, while Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) and Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) managed five and four seats, respectively — with former BDP member Edwin Dikoloti winning a seat as an independent candidate.
Mmegi reports that advocate Duma Gideon Boko is a human rights lawyer who went into politics and became president of the Botswana National Front (BNF) and became presidential candidate Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
He holds an LLB from the University of Botswana, LLM from Harvard University and a Diploma in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law from Lund University.
He has taught at the University of Botswana specialising in Constitutional law and during his student days at the University of Botswana, he served in a number of leadership roles including being president for the student representative council.
He has also led the Law Society of Botswana, Botswana Network of Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) as a chairperson.
In its report, Newscentral.africa this was a historic political shift in the Botswana presidency that ends nearly six decades of BDP governance to mark the beginning of a new chapter in that country’s democracy.
Following his swearing-in, Newscentral.africa reports that Duma Boko addressed the nation via a televised broadcast, outlining major pledges such as a significant increase in the minimum wage to 4,000 pula (US$300) and the introduction of universal health insurance.
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He is also reported to have also stressed the importance of stabilising Botswana’s diamond-dependent economy through diversification, pledging to build investor confidence and strengthen ties with the mining industry.
Boko is reported to have hailed the peaceful transfer of power, calling it “a new level of democracy” for Botswana, saying: “Citizens have responded positively to the UDC victory, expressing hope for change and relief that new leadership will address long-standing issues like the high cost of living, unemployment, and economic inequality.”
Outgoing president Mokgweetsi Masisi, who reportedly had been confident of re-election, conceded defeat early yesterday after results confirmed that the BDP would fall short of the majority needed to form a government.
“Masisi acknowledged the party’s failure to address rising unemployment, which hit 27% this year, and the country’s economic slump, compounded by low diamond revenues.
“Botswana’s economic growth is expected to slow to just one percent this year, a key issue in the election,” reported Newscentral.africa.
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