'The Joshua of our times'
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday July 16, 2025 13:59
At least this is what Tswapong North legislator, Prince Maele, believes as he called Boko ‘the prophet’ recently in Palapye.
Comparing presidents to key figures in the Bible is nothing new, as the late Liakat Kably once compared former president Ian Khama to Jesus. “Khama o tshwana le Jeso poo,” he said at the time.
Boko likened to Moses, who led the Israelites to the Promised Land
Maele uses flattery metaphorically comparing Boko to Moses’ successor Joshua, who led the Israelites across the Jordan River and into the land God had promised to Abraham.
Boko only took over the presidency last October and has been leading Batswana as the country battles an ailing economy.
In comparison, the Israelites led by Moses wandered the wilderness for 40 years whilst Batswana were led by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) for 58 years before Boko and the Umbrella for Democratic Change defeated the latter in 2024.
President Boko was voted into power on a wave of optimism and pledges of sweeping reform.
He is facing mounting pressure as key pillars of the economy begin to falter. As Boko’s lieutenants like Maele hail his leadership, couching it in biblical allegory and reformist rhetoric, he faces his most serious test yet.
The man was elevated to power with promises of transparency and economic justice, but he is now confronting a convergence of economic strain and political impatience that threaten the viability of his mandate.
Boko's Canaan crumbles amid diamond sales downturn
'Land of milk and honey' is a biblical metaphor, primarily associated with the land of Canaan, promised to the Israelites by God. It signifies abundance, prosperity, and a place of sustenance and blessing. Maele compares Boko to a man who took the Israelites to the land of milk and honey. But unfortunately, Boko didn’t find a bountiful land with abundant resources. Now he finds himself at an economic crossroads, with his promised vision for national transformation hanging in the balance. Botswana’s diamond industry, which is a cornerstone of national revenue, has experienced a noticeable decline in sales. With diamonds accounting for most of the country's GDP, a slowdown in this sector inevitably constrains public spending and hampers the delivery of services.
Boko faces Jordan River at flood stage
In the biblical narrative, Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land following the death of Moses. The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant led the way, and as their feet touched the water, the river stopped flowing, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This event is often compared to the Red Sea crossing under Moses and symbolises a transition from wandering in the wilderness to entering the land God promised. Perhaps Boko and the economic tremors could be compared to the Israelites' struggle at the Jordan River during flood stage, a moment that demanded unwavering faith and resolute leadership. Similarly, observers feel that President Boko must now confront the swelling tide of financial shortfalls, strained state resources, and rising unemployment. To make matters worse, the government recently revealed that it has suspended Government Purchase Orders (GPOs), citing declining revenue inflows in the economy.
Boko promises to collapse the walls of Jericho after three years
The biblical story of Joshua and the Walls of Jericho describes the Israelites' conquest of the city of Jericho. God instructed Joshua to have the Israelites march around the city once a day for six days, and then seven times on the seventh day, whilst the priests blew horns. The walls miraculously collapsed after this, allowing the Israelites to conquer the city. With pressure mounting on him to fulfill election promises, President Boko has pointed out that he will be able to fully transform Botswana into a ‘land flowing with milk and honey’ in 2028. Boko told a Kgotla meeting last month that he needs time. With Boko promising change within the next three years, it invokes the biblical story of Jericho. The hope is that his administration will ‘collapse the walls’ that stand in the way of inclusive development, job creation, and economic equity.
Boko under pressure to locate 'land of milk and honey' before 2029
Political analysts warn that time is running out for Boko as he asks for more time. With the next General Election slated for 2029, Boko has limited time to turn his grand vision into tangible results. The President’s timeline for results is narrowing. His promise of a turnaround within three years positions 2028 as a critical litmus test year. The promise of a figurative Canaan, a thriving Botswana, remains unfulfilled for many, and public patience is wearing thin. Batswana admit that Boko inspired hope with his election pledges, but he must now translate that vision into real economic revival. As pressure mounts, the Joshua symbolism may work against Boko, and all eyes remain fixed on his next steps. Analysts argue that metaphor alone cannot mask the growing gap between expectations and outcomes.
Voters want jobs, better service delivery, and stability, not just inspiration, critics argue. The youth, who formed a significant base of Boko’s support, now face record-high unemployment and a shrinking job market. President Boko’s Promised Land remains more a political aspiration than a present reality. To shift the metaphor from prophecy to performance, observers say he must move swiftly from vision to execution. The coming years will determine whether his name is etched into Botswana’s legacy as a reformer who charted a new course through these economic rapids or a prophet whose promises fell just short of the Jordan.