President Duma Boko's expensive look stirs national debate

Since taking over the highest office in the land, Advocate Duma Boko has not just shifted the political landscape, he has brought a whole new look to the presidency.In a country where suits and traditional garb have long defined official wear, Boko is rewriting the rulebook with a high-fashion, luxury aesthetic that has got tongues wagging and cameras flashing.His latest public appearance at the UDC celebration rally in Mahalapye caused a stir not just because of the political messaging. President Boko turned up clad in a designer outfit that oozed effortless class.Front and centre of his look was the Zegna Oasi Lino Overshirt, a piece hailed as the ultimate blend of elegance and comfort. Made by the legendary Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna, the overshirt is crafted entirely from sustainably grown linen, part of Zegna's Oasi project in the Italian Alps.Retailing at a staggering $2,390 (around P32,000), the piece is available through high-end Canadian menswear retailer Harry Rosen and has been described as an essential layering item for the modern gentleman. In short, it is not just a shirt, it is a statement.But the President’s taste for the finer things does not stop at Italian linen. His wrist game is raising the stakes even higher. Boko has been spotted wearing a Rolex Daytona Cosmograph 126500LN, one of the most coveted timepieces on the global luxury market.With its stainless steel casing, sleek black Cerachrom bezel, and elite racing heritage, the Daytona is designed for speed, status, and precision.The model Boko wears is valued at a cool $32,000, translating to approximately P434,899.84. That is enough to fund a small business or pay a year’s salary for multiple civil servants.And that’s not all.He has also been seen donning a Rolex Datejust 41 (Ref. 126334), another symbol of enduring prestige. This timepiece, featuring a dazzling blue dial and Rolex’s signature Jubilee bracelet, represents the pinnacle of classic watchmaking.Priced at an estimated P197,063.99, it adds another expensive layer to the President’s growing fashion profile.President Boko is also turning heads with a pair of limited edition DITA Varkatope glasses, bold, geometric, titanium-framed spectacles that retail for P23,511.00.Handmade in Japan, the glasses are as much about precision engineering as they are about elite taste. From head to toe, Boko’s wardrobe reflects the lifestyle of a man who knows exactly what he wants and is not shy to show it off.But while some applaud his confidence and sharp aesthetic, others are asking tough questions. Can a President draped in five-figure fashion still claim to walk in the shoes of the ordinary Motswana?In a country facing deep economic inequality, youth unemployment, and a crumbling education system, the image of a leader in luxury wear is a hard pill to swallow for many.Presidential Press Secretary Emang Bokhutlo was quick to defend the Commander-in-Chief.Speaking to this publication, she confirmed that the President pays for his wardrobe out of his pocket."The President is financially responsible for his clothes,” she said. “He has always looked good and worn expensive clothes, it’s just more amplified now because he is president and in the public eye more often than before.“I refer you to former president MEK, who said before the elections: ‘Mme nne a kgabile tsotsi ya teng, a apere letsela sentle a tshwanelwa’ - a testament to Boko’s good taste in clothes.”But not everyone is satisfied with that explanation.Bonnie Tlhagwane, President of the Botswana Congress Party Youth League (BCPYL), issued a fiery statement warning against the dangerous gap between power and the people.“Power tends to detach those who wield it from the people they lead,” she said. “While everyone has the right to dress how they want, in Botswana, the Head of State is uniquely privileged to have their personal needs, including clothing, funded by taxpayers. If the opulence we are seeing is coming from public money, it is a serious problem.”Tlhwagwane emphasised that the issue is not about fashion or individual preferences, but about principle.“If such extravagance is self-funded, it should not be an issue. But if it’s underwritten by taxpayers, then it becomes a matter of national concern. This is a standard that should apply to anyone occupying the Office of the President, not just President Boko.”Her warning to political leaders was sharp and uncompromising.“The biggest threat to our peace and stability isn’t some terrorist from abroad or international criminal syndicates. It’s the neglect of our young people. We have a public education system that’s falling apart, spitting out teenagers onto the streets with no skills, no opportunities, and no future.“We have graduates sinking into depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse because the economy offers them no hope. And in the midst of all this, our leaders are flashing watches worth half a million pula? That’s not leadership, it’s an insult!”With the Botswana Congress Party Youth League heading into its national conference next month, Tlhwagwane promised a gear shift.“We’re going to start a campaign to hold those managing our national resources accountable. The crisis affecting the youth is massive. The government must start treating it like the emergency it is.We took a clear youth manifesto to the 2024 elections. Now, our mission is to push for its implementation.”She said ethical leadership, transparency in public spending, and a hard stance against tax-funded extravagance will be at the core of the League’s new strategy.“We are not here to police fashion choices. But we are here to demand that the people’s money goes to solving the people’s problems, not buying designer shirts and Swiss watches.”Former President Ian Khama clarified the funding of presidential lifestyle expenses based on his experience in office.He noted that questions regarding presidential entitlements and benefits are typically handled by the Office of the President, which oversees such matters for both current and former Heads of State.Khama explained that during his term, there was no provision for the State to purchase clothing or cover the personal lifestyle expenses of the President.He financed his wardrobe, while the State only funded items directly related to official duties, such as meals, household personnel, travel, and accommodation.Furthermore, the budget for these official expenditures came from the Office of the President and was subject to review by Parliament. Khama was not aware if any of these arrangements had changed after the end of his tenureYouth activist Oneal Motsage defended President Boko’s fashion choices, arguing that they reflect a long-standing personal identity rather than a shift brought on by power. “President Boko has always had a particular personal style, and it’s part of who he is. Even before he became President, he was known for his good taste when it comes to clothing, and honestly, that consistency is what we want,” Motsage said.He further emphasized that leadership should not require abandoning individuality. “Being a leader doesn’t mean you have to change who you are. That alone inspires us young people. It shows that you can be true to yourself with confidence and that is empowering. His style reminds us that success doesn’t mean abandoning your identity; it’s about accepting who you are and embracing it. And President Boko is doing that very well.”Motsage also addressed the issue of public funds, stating, “The fact that President Boko pays for his clothes from his own pocket should not be seen as a problem. In fact, it should inspire people. If he is not using public money, then what is the problem?”He concluded that there is nothing wrong with a leader dressing well, as it contributes to the country’s image. “It gives Botswana a very good image, especially when meeting other world leaders.What matters most is that the President continues to listen to his people and work to solve their problems. He should not be judged for how he dresses; what matters is whether UDC delivers on its promises.”

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President Duma Boko's expensive look stirs national debate