Boko confronts challenges leading up to elections
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday May 27, 2024 06:01
Born and raised in the dusty area of Mahalapye village in Xhosa ward in 1969, he eventually became a town boy. Academically, Boko excelled, and his career achievements are equally impressive. During his university days, his affinity for the finer things in life became evident.
This is often attested to by friends who celebrate him during birthday gatherings. Additionally, it became clear that his homeboy, the late Dr Kenneth Koma, was a significant mentor for him during his time at the University of Botswana. Due to his love of politics, Boko joined the BNF at the age of 21 years.
At that time, as a law student, Boko volunteered as one of Koma’s advisors and also served as a teacher for BNF study groups, teaching about BNF ideologies. Later, he was involved in the formation of a new party. Boko is a human rights advocate and businessman. In 2003, Koma, Boko and Dick Bayford formed the National Democratic Front (NDF) which was led by Bayford. The party later merged with the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) while some of its followers returned to the BNF. When he returned to the BNF, he made significant impact and took over the party leadership.
He is now the BNF and the UDC president while aspiring to lead the country. Boko’s ambition to lead the nation is evident to all, and his campaign efforts are formidable and not to be underestimated. He particularly resonates with the youth demographic. Boko is a polarising figure in Botswana's political landscape.
BNF life
Despite prevailing in the High Court case during the congress, certain party dissidents continued to question his leadership abilities. Additionally, some members of his party's central committee, who had supported him during the Mochudi elective congress, accused him of neglecting his duties, including failing to attend central committee meetings. Consequently, Boko was compelled to take disciplinary action against some individuals for misconduct. In 2010, Boko encountered hurdles upon assuming the leadership of the BNF as he was embroiled in a legal battle with certain party members contesting his membership. Gabriel Kanjabanga was among those who challenged Boko's authority within the party. This internal discord underscored the factionalism within the BNF during that period, making Boko's elevation to leadership a fraught and challenging endeavour. Moreover, tensions arose after the formation of the UDC as he was accused of favouring the UDC over the BNF, which created tensions within the coalitions. Meanwhile, Boko differed with his party in their austere approach. To him, representation requires an appealing presence; how one looks and dresses the matter in connecting with the people. He transformed opposition politics, proving it could be appealing, affluent, and fashionable, shedding the image of perpetual struggle. But Boko managed to calm things down and get ‘his house’ in order. The BNF started to look like a party re-energised and ready to challenge for power under his leadership. Despite the transformation he made at the party level, he still had challenges. Tensions arose within the party in 2013 when some members believed that Boko had jeopardised the BNF's chances in certain constituencies by favouring UDC affiliates. Boko's emphasis on UDC's focus further exacerbated the situation, as some party members opposed his directive for the BNF's central committee to oversee party affairs, something that some party members were not happy with. He again became very popular and loveable when his party won eight parliamentary seats and he was amongst them in 2019. Meanwhile, he transformed the BNF from serving member-donated samp and beef at congresses to hiring caterers and decorating venues for events. In the realm of politics, he has emerged victorious in certain battles while experiencing setbacks in others.
Current challenges (2019-2024)
Once again, the BNF finds itself embroiled in internal discord and factionalism, reminiscent of past conflicts in 2014 and 2019. Members feel that the party leader's lack of attention to these issues is contributing to the lack of proper direction and unity. As it stands, there is concern that the BNF may perform poorly compared to 2019, especially given its decrease in the number of MPs from eight to three. His popularity waned slightly during the 2019 General Election due to the party's performance falling short of expectations, compounded by losses while serving as the opposition leader. Presently, the BNF primaries are marred by increased contention, leaving many members discontented. The BNF is currently entangled in disputes over certain constituencies and wards with some of its UDC affiliates, causing the leadership to face questions without clear answers to the party's challenges. UDC Boko has effectively demonstrated his leadership abilities by bringing together opposition parties, despite the complexities of dealing with diverse ideologies, or in some cases, the absence of clear ideologies. He showcased this skill in 2014 when he ensured that the BMD, the BPP, and the BNF were united under one symbol, resulting in his coalition gaining 17 MPs. As leader of the UDC, he revitalised opposition politics by unifying various parties and introducing innovative campaign strategies. Under his leadership, he successfully drew in backers to finance high-cost campaigns. Under his leadership, the UDC held high-profile political launches featuring foreign artists, catering, and international media coverage, drawing significant attention and support. Despite these advancements, Boko's aggressive leadership style has garnered mixed reactions, earning him the controversial label of a 'political mafia.' In the 2019 polls, the UDC won 13 seats while cooperating with the Botswana Congress Party (BCP). However, after the BCP joined the coalition going into the 2019 General Election, there were higher expectations for electoral success. Boko had to deliver victory. He managed to mount a successful campaign for the opposition, at times going pound for pound with the mega-rich Botswana Democratic Change (BDP). But the UDC failed to take power from the BDP while Boko lost his parliamentary seat to BDP’s Annah Mokgethi. The UDC's performance was so bad that the coalition lost all Gaborone constituencies to the ruling party. Questions started to be thrown around as to whether Boko was fit to lead the coalition. Others called for him to resign while some suggested an elective congress. While all this happened, Boko has been quiet. Perhaps still pondering on his next move. When he resurfaced, the UDC was not shy to wield the axe and show that despite all that has happened, he is still the man in charge.
2024 challenges
With few months left before the national polls, the UDC is still marred by a lot of controversies surrounding wards and constituency allocations that the party leadership is failing to resolve. The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), which also had been part of the coalition, pulled out last month and re-negotiated a Pact model. However, the crisis within the UDC leadership also got worse after the BCP pulled out as the party’s problems and lack of direction became evident. It is not yet clear when the UDC will solve its crisis and launch its manifesto. Some viewers and members believe that the party might go to general polls with unresolved issues. The UDC affiliates currently are the Alliance for Progressives (AP), the BNF and the Botswana Peoples Party (BPP). Boko recently said the new UDC vice president, Ndaba Gaolathe, is there to give direction to the UDC while he would be busy with other issues. Many with problems ahead, one wonders if UDC will perform in general elections as before. In politics, it might be premature to count him out entirely, as someone like Boko, with his political acumen, he could orchestrate a turnaround overnight, earning him newfound support and revitalising the party's prospects. In 2022, Boko became an unpopular figure for his decision to suspend his vice president Dumelang Saleshando from the coalition. In politics, when he decides on issues, he does not reflect on whether they will have an impact on him personally. Despite facing criticism for his decisions, he remained steadfast and extended offers to some BCP MPs who wished to stay with the UDC. Four of them took up his offer and they toppled Saleshando as the leader of the opposition. Furthermore, he made offer to them that they would not be challenged for primary elections. Boko is the man who shoulders the enormous responsibility of leading a united opposition to victory in the next polls. But, as the wars within the UDC intensify, all eyes are on him to act decisively and eventually ‘calm the waters’. Boko’s demeanour and status as a lawyer cannot be questionable. However, for a long time, there has been debate about his credentials and capabilities in the political sphere. Many questioned whether he is brave enough to stamp his authority and make unpopular decisions that could in the end be the turning point of success for the UDC. It was a successful effort from Boko and the UDC as he led a 19-man strong team of highly educated men to Parliament. Boko had contested the Gaborone Bonnington North constituency and won. The feat was achieved without a prominent opposition in BCP that had pulled out of the coalition prior to the elections and went solo.