Boko weeps

The president of Botswana National Front (BNF), Duma Boko wept at a rally in Mahalapye over the weekend.

Boko also doubles as leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) - an opposition coalition involving the BNF, Botswana Peoples’ Party (BPP) and Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD).

The event was the star rally during BNF’s 50th Anniversary celebrations on Saturday. The lawyer-cum politician started off his address by paying tribute to Fidel Castro and his brother, Raul Castro, who became president of Cuba in 2008 following his brother’s resignation.

Turning his gaze to the Cuban Ambassador, Juan Carlos Corrales, who sat among the invited guests, Boko said: “Please pass our regards to both Fidel Castro and Raul Castro and tell them how much of an inspiration to the other revolutionaries throughout the world they have been and continue to be today.”

And to Mothusi Tlhabanyane and Mpho Motlhabane both of the South African Communist Party (SACP), he paid homage to SACP luminaries such as Moses Kotane, Joe Slovo and Bram Fischer for the contribution they made to the political development of South Africa which galvanised public opinion leading to the liberation of that country.

Things came to a head when, by way of contrast, he said Batswana seem to have resigned themselves to a life without dignity. The BNF leader called upon Batswana to not allow the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to take them for granted as they have been created in the image of God.

“How is that you get bought by fona drink? People have resigned themselves to a life without any dignity. Our people have accepted a situation where they go to hospital or clinic and find no doctor, where you go to your child’s school and find a serious shortage of facilities and a demoralised and stressed teacher who works under difficult conditions. The BDP is playing with the future of your children. To a parent, a child is an investment or insurance.” 

Except for the MC who moved to the podium to offer Boko a tissue to wipe his tears, the entire audience froze during the moment. Meanwhile, Boko recovered and continued with his address.

President of Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Dumelang Saleshando led a delegation from his party while Simon Kgaoganang represented the Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions (BOFEPUSU) at the rally.