• There will be no rigging in the next elections – Boko • Those that cheat will pay with their lives – Boko
The charismatic leader of the Botswana National Front (BNF), Duma Boko is back in the limelight after a hiatus from party activities.
An energised Boko addressed members of his party ahead of the upcoming elections. He is confident that they will achieve regime change as Batswana are hungry for change.
According to Boko, Batswana should unite with the BNF and others to release themselves from the oppression that they live in. According to him, simple things such as registering organisations and unions is such a difficult thing under the current regime.
In his usual charismatic manner, Boko painted a picture with words to the audience that had graced the congress, taking from the Biblical story of Jesus sleeping in the stormy seas, he said that he too is quiet even when the media labels him as a man that is missing in action.
He said that just like the storm that came to test the faith of the disciples, the media attacks he received came to reveal those that truly believe in the BNF struggle and those that don’t. He said that those that cannot stand the test of time will be bought off by other parties just like some members have done in the past.
“I am happy when I see people underestimate the BNF because that is the time where it is strongest,” the BNF leader said, adding that he is very happy to see the current attacks on the BNF as the party will retaliate very strongly. The crowd erupted into cheers when he said that this coming October there will be regime change. Boko reminded the BNF that their slogan ‘Kopano’ is an indicator of their pary’s unique role of unifying people from all corners of life.
Boko re-winded the hands of time in his speech by reminding the BNF that it was founded with a mission of uniting people from different walks of life in the pursuit of a better life.
According to Boko, as the party evolved, it created the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) along with other likeminded parties who had the same mission of unifying people.
“It is imperative for us to accept people who are on our side as we have the same goal,” Boko encouraged members of the BNF to be open and welcoming to those that are on their side, reminding them that they have a common enemy.
Boko told his audience that Botswana belongs to the people of Botswana and the nation of Botswana should be the one making laws that govern this nation. He explained that the leaders of this nation forget this. He admitted that he was in Kenya a few weeks ago when the nation was protesting, and that with his own eyes he saw the people protesting against leaders and their draconian laws.
Even though Batswana will not fight and burn down the parliamentary building, Boko is confident that the people of Botswana will send a strong and stern message to the leaders of Botswana by voting into power people that have the best interests of Batswana at heart.
“The next elections you will prove to the leaders that you are not bribeable with snacks,” he said, adding that the rampant corruption that has plagued Botswana will come to an abrupt stop in October. Furthermore, Boko talked against abuse of public office by people as this is a crime that is punishable by law. Illustrating an example, he noted that instances like the President taking part in Banyana farms is a crime as he had vowed to uphold the law and turned his back on his words and took from the people of Batswana.
“This shows that he has no respect for the law that he is to uphold,” Boko said. Further, that it is evident that the President has broken the law and it shows that he does not respect it. Boko encouraged the BNF members to defend the integrity of the party at all costs as they are on a mission to fight against a bigger monster. He urged members to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of the nation via the votes they will cast in the upcoming elections.
He said that the race is not for the swift and the scandals that had been encamping around the party will soon be a distant memory when they achieve their party goal this year. Boko announced that in August the UDC will have a convention where all members of the UDC will come together. The convention is also expected to launch the UDC manifesto. They will also unveil all the UDC candidates whilst unleashing the UDC electoral campaign.
Speaking on the controversial candidate allocation within the UDC, Boko said that the things which have been happening within the UDC whereby certain members do not accept a chosen candidate and post their own choice will stop.
He urged BNF members to defend the integrity of the party and be a united front. He admitted that mistakes can happen but that does not warrant for members of the BNF venting out or crying foul in the digital media space and social media. Boko talked against members of the BNF who are fighting against each other and who are bringing shame to the party. He urged members to focus on their enemy who is flooded with troubles but does not air insults in public.
Boko said that the BNF and UDC want to enact regime change, that is why they have no time for insults and petty issues whilst Batswana are facing a lot of challenges.
“The UDC has no time for frivolity, pettiness and trivia, our politics continues to be distinguishable from any of the name calling and finger pointing that has become the vogue language of some in our politics,” Boko said, adding that they do not have time to waste on things that do not grow the party.
The UDC’s attribute is free from being politics of insults, he noted. Boko said that the BNF will move forward without entertaining petty issues. He encouraged members to be laser focused on changing the nation.
Giving the BNF a sneak peek into the discussions of the UDC manifesto, he said that Vice President of the UDC Ndaba Gaolathe challenged the UDC to push the living wage of Batswana to P10 000. This is so that when Botswana is cited as a high income nation.
Furthermore, Boko reiterated their intentions of having a national health scheme that would afford Batswana access to the best available healthcare.
Boko dreams of a time that they will rescue Botswana from the national resource trap. He explained that the government has failed to diversify the economy and the industries involved in the natural resource industry. He is adamant that when they take over from the current government this October they will ensure that the economy of Botswana is diversified.
“You cannot grow an economy without industrialisation,” Boko said, adding that the minerals mined in this nation are shipped overseas whilst there is so much more that can be harnessed out of such minerals which would add to the industrialisation and betterment of Batswana.
Boko promised that they will enact regime change this coming elections and accused the Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS) of running the last elections.
He said that the rigging that took place in the last election will happen again and that no ungazetted persons will be allowed to be part of the elections. He said the same thing happened in the Goodhope by-election. Further, that the only voters’ roll that will be used will be the certified one.
Boko said that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has refused with the electronic copy of the voters’ roll but their efforts to frustrate people will utterly fail as they are keeping an eye on the activities taking place with regards to the elections.
The BNF leader accused Botswana of working closely with the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) of Zimbabwe, the aim being to ensure that they win the upcoming elections at all costs but he has sent a stern warning to them, noting that those that will rig elections will pay with their lives.
Boko said that all they want is for free and fair elections and they are conducting Madibelatlhopo trainings nationwide even with technical training to ensure that there will be no cheating.
“If need be we will follow the electoral vote box with drones,” Boko said, adding that this is the age of change and the BDP cannot win free and fair elections. Boko said that the ultimate aim is regime change so they may get into talks with other parties such as the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) to ensure that where they can they should ensure that the BDP loses.
He said it is not foreign for people to set aside their differences to fight against the same enemy. However, this is an idea that the party will discuss further as they move towards elections.
Vice President of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Ndaba Gaolathe reminded members of the BNF that the power of change is in their hands to enact regime change.
Speaking at the BNF congress, Gaolathe urged members of the party to act in a manner that reflects that they are empowered, since through their actions they can get the nation they dream of. Gaolathe said that the constitution empowers the people to do what they want through the ballot box, however people have over time forgotten who they are and the power that they carry.
He added that government entities such as Botswana Water Utilities can lose up to P500 million per year, Botswana Meat Commission can lose over P100 million per year whilst Batswana sit by and watch. He said that Batswana seemingly continue to live as if they are not losing better futures. Gaolathe urged members to move with parties such as the BNF who want to change the country.
Gaolathe said through the collective efforts of Batswana, the nation can build other unicorn companies such as Debswana and improve the lives of Batswana. He spoke of a Botswana that manufactures and sells medicine and exports to other countries.
Gaolathe said that a new Botswana is possible and Batswana should not be deterred by what they see on the ground. He encouraged those who still have faith for a better Botswana to unite and work together.
An energised Boko addressed members of his party ahead of the upcoming elections. He is confident that they will achieve regime change as Batswana are hungry for change.
According to Boko, Batswana should unite with the BNF and others to release themselves from the oppression that they live in. According to him, simple things such as registering organisations and unions is such a difficult thing under the current regime.
In his usual charismatic manner, Boko painted a picture with words to the audience that had graced the congress, taking from the Biblical story of Jesus sleeping in the stormy seas, he said that he too is quiet even when the media labels him as a man that is missing in action.
He said that just like the storm that came to test the faith of the disciples, the media attacks he received came to reveal those that truly believe in the BNF struggle and those that don’t. He said that those that cannot stand the test of time will be bought off by other parties just like some members have done in the past.
“I am happy when I see people underestimate the BNF because that is the time where it is strongest,” the BNF leader said, adding that he is very happy to see the current attacks on the BNF as the party will retaliate very strongly. The crowd erupted into cheers when he said that this coming October there will be regime change. Boko reminded the BNF that their slogan ‘Kopano’ is an indicator of their pary’s unique role of unifying people from all corners of life.
Boko re-winded the hands of time in his speech by reminding the BNF that it was founded with a mission of uniting people from different walks of life in the pursuit of a better life.
According to Boko, as the party evolved, it created the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) along with other likeminded parties who had the same mission of unifying people.
“It is imperative for us to accept people who are on our side as we have the same goal,” Boko encouraged members of the BNF to be open and welcoming to those that are on their side, reminding them that they have a common enemy.
Boko told his audience that Botswana belongs to the people of Botswana and the nation of Botswana should be the one making laws that govern this nation. He explained that the leaders of this nation forget this. He admitted that he was in Kenya a few weeks ago when the nation was protesting, and that with his own eyes he saw the people protesting against leaders and their draconian laws.
Even though Batswana will not fight and burn down the parliamentary building, Boko is confident that the people of Botswana will send a strong and stern message to the leaders of Botswana by voting into power people that have the best interests of Batswana at heart.
“The next elections you will prove to the leaders that you are not bribeable with snacks,” he said, adding that the rampant corruption that has plagued Botswana will come to an abrupt stop in October. Furthermore, Boko talked against abuse of public office by people as this is a crime that is punishable by law. Illustrating an example, he noted that instances like the President taking part in Banyana farms is a crime as he had vowed to uphold the law and turned his back on his words and took from the people of Batswana.
“This shows that he has no respect for the law that he is to uphold,” Boko said. Further, that it is evident that the President has broken the law and it shows that he does not respect it. Boko encouraged the BNF members to defend the integrity of the party at all costs as they are on a mission to fight against a bigger monster. He urged members to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of the nation via the votes they will cast in the upcoming elections.
He said that the race is not for the swift and the scandals that had been encamping around the party will soon be a distant memory when they achieve their party goal this year. Boko announced that in August the UDC will have a convention where all members of the UDC will come together. The convention is also expected to launch the UDC manifesto. They will also unveil all the UDC candidates whilst unleashing the UDC electoral campaign.
Speaking on the controversial candidate allocation within the UDC, Boko said that the things which have been happening within the UDC whereby certain members do not accept a chosen candidate and post their own choice will stop.
He urged BNF members to defend the integrity of the party and be a united front. He admitted that mistakes can happen but that does not warrant for members of the BNF venting out or crying foul in the digital media space and social media. Boko talked against members of the BNF who are fighting against each other and who are bringing shame to the party. He urged members to focus on their enemy who is flooded with troubles but does not air insults in public.
Boko said that the BNF and UDC want to enact regime change, that is why they have no time for insults and petty issues whilst Batswana are facing a lot of challenges.
“The UDC has no time for frivolity, pettiness and trivia, our politics continues to be distinguishable from any of the name calling and finger pointing that has become the vogue language of some in our politics,” Boko said, adding that they do not have time to waste on things that do not grow the party.
The UDC’s attribute is free from being politics of insults, he noted. Boko said that the BNF will move forward without entertaining petty issues. He encouraged members to be laser focused on changing the nation.
Giving the BNF a sneak peek into the discussions of the UDC manifesto, he said that Vice President of the UDC Ndaba Gaolathe challenged the UDC to push the living wage of Batswana to P10 000. This is so that when Botswana is cited as a high income nation.
Furthermore, Boko reiterated their intentions of having a national health scheme that would afford Batswana access to the best available healthcare.
Boko dreams of a time that they will rescue Botswana from the national resource trap. He explained that the government has failed to diversify the economy and the industries involved in the natural resource industry. He is adamant that when they take over from the current government this October they will ensure that the economy of Botswana is diversified.
“You cannot grow an economy without industrialisation,” Boko said, adding that the minerals mined in this nation are shipped overseas whilst there is so much more that can be harnessed out of such minerals which would add to the industrialisation and betterment of Batswana.
Boko promised that they will enact regime change this coming elections and accused the Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS) of running the last elections.
He said that the rigging that took place in the last election will happen again and that no ungazetted persons will be allowed to be part of the elections. He said the same thing happened in the Goodhope by-election. Further, that the only voters’ roll that will be used will be the certified one.
Boko said that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has refused with the electronic copy of the voters’ roll but their efforts to frustrate people will utterly fail as they are keeping an eye on the activities taking place with regards to the elections.
The BNF leader accused Botswana of working closely with the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) of Zimbabwe, the aim being to ensure that they win the upcoming elections at all costs but he has sent a stern warning to them, noting that those that will rig elections will pay with their lives.
Boko said that all they want is for free and fair elections and they are conducting Madibelatlhopo trainings nationwide even with technical training to ensure that there will be no cheating.
“If need be we will follow the electoral vote box with drones,” Boko said, adding that this is the age of change and the BDP cannot win free and fair elections. Boko said that the ultimate aim is regime change so they may get into talks with other parties such as the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) to ensure that where they can they should ensure that the BDP loses.
He said it is not foreign for people to set aside their differences to fight against the same enemy. However, this is an idea that the party will discuss further as they move towards elections.
Vice President of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Ndaba Gaolathe reminded members of the BNF that the power of change is in their hands to enact regime change.
Speaking at the BNF congress, Gaolathe urged members of the party to act in a manner that reflects that they are empowered, since through their actions they can get the nation they dream of. Gaolathe said that the constitution empowers the people to do what they want through the ballot box, however people have over time forgotten who they are and the power that they carry.
He added that government entities such as Botswana Water Utilities can lose up to P500 million per year, Botswana Meat Commission can lose over P100 million per year whilst Batswana sit by and watch. He said that Batswana seemingly continue to live as if they are not losing better futures. Gaolathe urged members to move with parties such as the BNF who want to change the country.
Gaolathe said through the collective efforts of Batswana, the nation can build other unicorn companies such as Debswana and improve the lives of Batswana. He spoke of a Botswana that manufactures and sells medicine and exports to other countries.
Gaolathe said that a new Botswana is possible and Batswana should not be deterred by what they see on the ground. He encouraged those who still have faith for a better Botswana to unite and work together.