BNF fights in Adv Boko’s corner

The Botswana National Front (BNF) has come out with guns blazing to defend its President, Advocate Duma Boko for declaring Monday this week, a paid public holiday.Adv. Boko, who is also the President of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) which BNF is a contracting partner, declared Monday a holiday following a historic performance of Botswana’s athletes during the recently-concluded World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.On September 18, 2025, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi made history by winning Botswana’s first-ever world title in the men’s 400m with a world-leading time of 43.53 seconds, while compatriot Bayapo Ndori secured bronze.Botswana further cemented its place in history by becoming the first African nation to win gold in the men’s 4x400m relay, delivering a thrilling comeback performance in challenging conditions.In recognition of this unprecedented achievement, Boko declared 29th September 2025 a public holiday for Batswana to celebrate the team’s historic success.This decision came under heavy scrutiny as Business Botswana and the opposition Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) condemned it arguing that it will negatively affect the economy. This is unacceptable, according to the BNF, which argued that this appears to downplay or politicise the moment of national pride.“Business Botswana and BDP press releases are alarmist, particularly one for Business Botswana, in third paragraph where it claims that the unplanned public holiday on 29th September 2025 will cost the country approximately P585 million in annual GDP,”Dr Moss Mokgolele, the BNF’s Secretary for Economic Affairs, retorted.According to Dr Mokgolole, this figure is speculative at best and an exaggeration of the economic facts. It appears to be a back-of-the-envelope estimate designed to frighten policymakers and the public rather than a rigorous economic assessment.Dr Mokgolole argued that no empirical model, sectoral breakdown, or multiplier analysis is referenced. Instead, they assign a number that assumes all productive activity ceases entirely, ignoring substitution effects, adaptive business practices, and the real dynamics of Botswana’s mixed economy.“First: modern economies are not static machines that grind to a halt when a public holiday is declared. Services such as retail, tourism, and hospitality often benefit from holidays through increased consumer spending.Botswana, like many countries, records higher sales volumes in food, beverage, and leisure sectors during extended holidays. These gains partially or wholly offset temporary disruptions in manufacturing or banking,” Dr Mokgolole contended.He argued that payroll delays and bank closures are easily mitigated with electronic systems and advance planning, global practice shows this is a non-issue when governments communicate properly, and the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs issued a press release to the effect on 25th September 2025. To suggest six days of “economic standstill” is simply exaggerated rhetoric.Furthermore, Dr Mokgolole said measuring productivity loss purely by GDP ignores the intangible but equally critical social capital generated by national celebration unity, morale, and cultural pride which underpin long-term competitiveness.He reckons that if Business Botswana and the BDP wishes to be taken seriously, they must ground their figures in transparent methodology, not scare tactics.He added that economic discourse deserves more than inflated estimates that protect narrow corporate and political interests while dismissing national cohesion and people’s right to celebrate.

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BNF fights in Adv Boko’s corner