Boko confident UDC will win in 2019
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With just a little over a year before the much awaited crucial 2019 General Elections, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) leader Duma Boko seems unfazed about the state of affairs within the coalition and is as adamant as ever they will win.
This is notwithstanding the fact that like in 2014, a part of the coalition has pulled out. In 2014, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) pulled out of the conglomerate of opposition parties under UDC; and this year, the coalition bore a splinter party of the Botswana Movement of Democracy dubbed Alliance for Progressives (AP). AP seems set to face UDC and ruling Botswana Democratic Change (BDP) at the polls.
The UDC President told WeekendPost in an exclusive interview in Gaborone this week that “there is absolutely no doubt, we are going to win the next 2019 General Elections”. Boko however maintained that, “not alone but together with others because ultimately it’s about coming together and winning (which we are going to win) – hell or high waters. Make no mistake about that.”
According to Boko, “UDC is rolling at the moment and it is unstoppable. That’s what I can say. I don’t want to pronounce on any other person. And when I talk about the UDC I mean everyone.” So, the question of whether “I will step down as promised if the UDC doesn’t win,” he says about losing elections in 2019, “does not arise but in any case I have already made a pronouncement on that (to step down after then).” “We are winning elections in 2019 so we will be serving this country in different capacities,” he said confidently.
However Boko also told this publication that there will be challenges along the way; as they expect that to happen, and so when these challenges come or people differ and disagree it doesn’t mean there is or will be disintegration in the party. In his alleged difference with some BNF Central Executive Committee members in the mold of party Vice President Prince Dibeela, Gantsi North legislator Noah Salakae whom it is understood accuses the BNF leader of running the party almost like a remote control and having no regard for process and procedure, he clarified that he strictly follows the constitution as is.
“There are no differences whatsoever. BNF President exercises certain powers given or vested to him by the constitution of the party and he uses those powers judiciously,” Boko justified. He then went on to point out that he is a thinker and thrives on engagement. “I am a thinker. I am by habit, training and practice, a lawyer and a jurist. I thrive on engagement. That’s my life blood. So when I get engaged by whomever and you think this man in under siege, no, I am actually having fun.
That’s when am at my best when I enjoy myself the most. Because I know, either the views I hold will prevail or as I would have assessed them or engage with anybody on them because I know I will prevail. I know I have the skills to prevail, the temperament to prevail. But also if my views turn out to be weak, I embrace the stronger view points and life moves on.”
Boko gave an example of BNF having experienced turmoil during his tenure. So he said at the time BNF had to go through a process of refinement and cleansing for it to be in the UDC – “it had to shed some baggage.” According to Boko, the BNF did that otherwise they could not have entered this process. It had to purify itself and go through a process of propagation on a grander scale and that’s what’s going through at the UDC, he highlighted.
Boko emphasised that the matter has to be about the substance of what “we are offering and not the personalities”. “People come and go. Principles must abide. That’s what matters. I can go, anytime. But the principles from which I stood will inform those who come after. It’s not about Boko.” He also stressed that opposition in Botswana is not bewitched. “It is just fine. Contradiction is the very essence of things. It’s about refinement,” he said.
So, UDC does not need AP?
According to Boko, AP should consider joining the UDC because opposition parties are currently under one umbrella. “If AP is an opposition in Botswana, they are enforced by the circumstances we find ourselves in, to join other opposition parties under the Umbrella (UDC). UDC is a conglomeration of opposition parties. Any serious opposition party must become part of the UDC. That one is not in doubt.”
The Leader of Opposition in parliament continued: “but as I said they (AP) have only just set up so they are still trying to find their bearing as well, so as soon as they have done, they will engage us as we are always open as UDC. For them to be admitted into the UDC there has to be motivation, we are ever ready to receive and embrace.”
In terms of whether UDC was ready to give out some constituencies to AP if they opted to join it, Boko said he was not ready to give out any information to that effect because the time had not yet come. However, he said when issues presented themselves they will examine them at that time, considering the prevailing circumstances at the time as well as the best interest of the organisation.
“These are what will determine how we react. So I cannot stand here now and say to you that this is what we will do. I don’t pre-judge. I am always open minded. I am always adaptable. When matters present themselves I look at the prevailing circumstances at the time and then make a call.”
The Gaborone Bonnington North legislator however said that since AP was just establishing itself, he could not fairly assess whether they are strong or not, and whether they will be a threat to them, should they decide to remain outside the UDC. “I’m waiting to see what they are made of,” he said.
On journalists…
The UDC leader opines that journalists are highly sensitive and says they must not think they are immune to criticism. “You journalists must subject yourselves to the most critical self examination because when we subject you to that rigorous examination you will then appreciate that we are not malicious. We don’t want any mediocrity in a journalist or anyone including politicians,” he pointed out.
He said this country will be better served by cutting edge journalists, “not people who masquerade to tell us their views and sentiments and have no regard for journalists who doesn’t respect the craft and ethics of journalists. If you a strong journalist who deals in facts, figures, ask pertinent questions, probes every leader you are my man.”
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Local tennis team upbeat ahead of Billie Jean King cup
With almost two weeks until the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup, which will be staged in Kenya from June 12-17, 2023, the Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) ladies’ team coach, Ernest Seleke, is optimistic about reaching greater heights.
Billie Jean King Cup, or the BJK Cup, is a premier international team competition in women’s tennis, launched as the Federation Cup to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The BJK Cup is the world’s largest annual women’s international team sports competition in terms of the number of nations that compete.
The finals will feature 12 teams (Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, Seychelles, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) competing in the four round-robin groups of three. The four group winners will qualify for the semifinals, and the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup will be crowned after the completion of the knockout phase.
Closer to home, the BW Tennis team is comprised of Thato Madikwe, Leungo Monnayoo, Chelsea Chakanyuka, and Kelebogile Monnayoo. However, according to Seleke, they have not assembled the team yet as some of the players are still engaged.
“At the moment, we are depending on the players and their respective coaches in terms of training. However, I will meet up with Botswana-based players in the coming week, while the United States of America (USA) based player Madikwe will probably meet us in Kenya. Furthermore, Ekua Youri and Naledi Raguin, who are based in Spain and France respectively, will not be joining us as they will be writing their examinations,” said Seleke.
Seleke further highlighted the significance of this competition and how competitive it is. “It is a massive platform for our players to showcase their talent in tennis, and it is very competitive as countries target to get promoted to the world categories where they get to face big nations such as Spain, France, USA, and Italy. Though we are going to this tournament as underdogs because it is our second time participating, I’m confident that the girls will put in a good showing and emerge with results despite the odds,” highlighted Seleke.
Quizzed about their debut performance at the BJK Cup, he said, “I think our performance was fair considering the fact that we were newbies. We came third in our group after losing to North Macedonia and South Africa. We went on to beat Uganda, then Kenya in the playoffs. Unfortunately, we couldn’t play Burundi due to heavy rainfall and settled for the position 9/10,” he said.
For her part, team representative Leungo Monnayoo said they are working hard as they aim to do well at the tourney. “The preparations for the tourney have long begun because we practice each and every day. We want to do well, hence we need to be motivated. Furthermore, I believe in my team as we have set ourselves a big target of coming home with the trophy,” she said.
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Pep Stores donates sanitary towels to Popagano JSS
The Guidance and Counseling unit at Popagano Junior Secondary School received a donation of 790 sanitary towels from Pep stores on Thursday.
When presenting the donation, Mareledi Thebeng, the Dinokaneng Area Manager, highlighted their belief in giving back to the community, as their existence depends on the communities they serve. Thebeng pointed out that research indicates one in four girls miss school every day due to the lack of basic necessities like sanitary towels. Therefore, as a company, they strive to assist in alleviating this situation. She expressed hope that this donation would help ensure uninterrupted learning for girls.
Upon receiving the donation on behalf of the students, Charity Sambire, the President of the Student Representative Council, expressed her gratitude. Sambire specifically thanked Pep Store for their generous gift, speaking on behalf of the students, especially the girl child.
She conveyed their sincere appreciation for Pep Store’s compassion and quoted the adage, “Blessed is the hand that gives.” Sambire expressed the students’ hope for Pep Stores’ prosperity, enabling them to continue supporting the students. As a gesture of gratitude, the students pledged to excel academically.
During her speech, Motlalepula Madome, the Senior Teacher in Guidance and Counseling, highlighted that many students at the school come from disadvantaged backgrounds where parents struggle to provide basic necessities. Consequently, some students miss school when they experience menstruation due to this lack.
Madome emphasized the significance of the donation in preventing the girl child from missing lessons and its potential to improve the school’s overall results. She expressed the school’s gratitude and expressed a desire for continued support from Pep Stores.
Popagano Junior Secondary School, situated in the Okavango District, holds the second position academically in the North West region. Despite its location, the school has been dedicated to achieving excellence since 2017
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Botswana misses out critical PAP committee meeting
The Pan African Parliament (PAP) committee on gender, family, youth and people with disability in its sitting considered, adopted and recommended to the plenary session the preliminary report on the framework for the model law on gender equality.
According to the last week’s media release from PAP which is sitting with its various committees until June 2nd, the committee is following up the PAP initiative to draw up a model law on gender equality to enable national governments to harmonize, modernize and standardize their legislations to address local needs is set to be discussed in Plenary.
However, what is concerning is the fact that Botswana which is a member state missed the deliberations. Kgosi Mosadi Seboko who sat in the committee representing Botswana has since been ejected by parliament and this is a huge blow for a nation that is still battling equity and gender balance.
“Although PAP has no legislative powers it makes model laws for member states to adopt. PAP also develops protocols to be ratified by countries. The input of countries at Committee state is extremely critical. It now means the voice of Botswana is missing the discussions leading up to development of protocols or model laws,” said one of Botswana’s representative at PAP Dr. Kesitegile Gobotswang who is attending the current session.
While Botswana is missing, the committee meeting took place on the sidelines of the Sixth PAP second ordinary Session being held under the African Union Theme of the Year for 2023, “The Year of AfCFTA: Accelerating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area” in Midrand, South Africa and will run up to 2 June 2023. Chairperson of the Committee, Hon Mariam Dao-Gabala expressed satisfaction with preliminary processes undertaken so far towards the formulation of the Model Law,” a release from the PAP website reads.
“The law should be suitable to all countries whatever the predominant culture or religion is. The aim is to give an opportunity to women to participate in the economic, political and social development of the continent. Women are not well positioned and face a lot of obstacles. We are introducing the idea of equity in the Law because we cannot talk about equality without equity,” said Hon Mariam Dao-Gabala in the press statement.
The release has stated that among issues to be covered by the Model Law is the migratory movements of women. The Committee proffered that this has to be addressed at the continental level to ensure that migrant women enjoy all their rights and live with dignity in their destination country. The members of the Gender Committee undertook consultations to consolidate the contributions of the various stakeholders that will be the logical framework format for the Model Law.