SONA Boko’s chance to set the record straight
Lewanika Timothy | Friday November 7, 2025 11:55
When the President delivers the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, he will have a crucial opportunity to set the record straight. Word on the street suggests that the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government is faring no better than its predecessor, with unending claims circulating about a failing state, dwindling revenues, an economy in freefall, and a leadership long on promises but short on delivery. While the government has periodically issued statements to counter such claims, Monday’s SONA offers Boko a national stage to clarify the facts, restore confidence, and redefine the narrative.
The UDC came to power riding on a wave of optimism. Yet, change means different things to different people, and it often demands results at different paces. These varied expectations have created pressure that now hangs heavily over the UDC government, as public impatience grows and scrutiny intensifies.
On Monday, the nation will cup its hands to its ears, eager to hear from the Head of State. Many will listen not just for updates, but for reassurance to decide whether to keep hope alive or to continue down the path of fret and anxiety. To begin with, government communication has not been consistent. In many instances, official statements have appeared fragmented, sometimes even contradictory, leaving citizens uncertain about the true state of affairs. This inconsistency has only deepened the perception gap between governments and the governed, a gap Boko must now bridge with clarity, candour and conviction.
Financial state of the country
The true state of the nation’s coughers will perhaps be the area where clarity will be sought at most. The Vice President cum Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe, has at many times tried his best to clear the air on the true state of the coffers. Sometimes, even using vernacular language.
The idea of the country being cash flow-constrained while not being broke has been an oxymoron of sorts that people have not been able to quite comprehend. In many parliamentary addresses, Gaolathe had tried to explain the difference between current cash flow challenges and long-term economic pillars that the nation stands on.
It appears there is still fret and doubt regarding the true state of the national coffers.
The government periodically uses the government is broke narrative when it wants to curtail amenities and social goods to the polity, but perhaps forgets this very narrative when spending. This has drawn criticism from members of the society who demand that if they are to suffer because the government is broke, then even the government must cut its coat according to its size. The task ahead of Boko will not be a numerical one. What the numbers say is no longer important, but rather what can be done about the numbers and whether there is hope for the country beyond the fiscal crunch.
Delivery of Manifesto Promises
The President will also have a chance to update on all the promises that led them to be elected. The government had in the past promised a social security protection grant of P300 for newborn babies, an increase in the minimum wage to P4,000, and a student allowance of P2,500. Initially, while in the trenches, the UDC had promised to deliver these promises within a year, but after a reality check with the coffers, it is evident that this was not possible. The task here will be for the President first to admit to being slow in coming to deliver these promises and be concise on what will be possible without feeling the pressure to commit to timelines, as the rebound of the economy is still unclear. During the budget speech, government managed to increase the old age pension to P1,400, a laudable move that also needs explaining on when the balance will be delivered, if at all it will be possible.
Governance and Policy reform Reforming the government, particularly the public sector, was the cry of many voters. The President will be tasked with clearly articulating progress on efforts to reform the public sector from its current unproductive and large size to a growth-oriented, delivery-bound public sector.
The nation will need to hear about progress on reforming parastatals, which have been revenue sink-holes. Notorious entities like Air Botswana, BMC, to name a few, have been on a downturn for many years. There is an expectation for the President to deliver a sound turnaround plan as listed in the transformation documents and the NDP 12.
There will also be a need to clear the air on corruption allegations against senior government officials. More critically, there is a need to update the nation on institutional reform.
Key policy outcomes of the July sitting will need to be handed out as well, including how they will change the course of this country for the better.
Forensic Audit The juiciest detail will come from the President’s update on the forensic audit. There is a benign claim that the country is where it is due to fiscal management and rot that prevailed in past regimes. An update on how many institutions are currently being audited, what the auditors are uncovering, and when the audit will end will be key in updating the nation on key national issues.
While the forensic audit is an independent process that is sworn to secrecy, the President can tread carefully and share an update on when the process will conclude and whether there will be any key findings that will assist in recovering purported stolen state funds
The State of Public Health There has been a national crisis of shortage of medicines countrywide, a situation that threatens the very existence of this state. The government has been slow to give factual reports periodically on the situation on the ground, with patients sharing horror stories online about the state of public health care. The President was granted a state of emergency to alleviate the situation, and the nation is due for an update on what was achieved and what the path will be going forward, particularly considering initiatives like the National Health Insurance.