'We're going to deliver on obligations'
Larona Makhaiza - Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday March 11, 2026 11:27
Towards the end of last year, during Ntlo Ya Dikgosi consultation on the establishment of the Constitutional Court, Boko broke the internet following his bold statement that the UDC does not have a social contract with citizens to deliver its manifesto. Speaking at the Botswana National Front (BNF) Leadership Forum over the weekend, Boko said the party has obligations to meet.
“We are going to deliver on our obligations. These are obligations that were voluntarily assumed; imposed upon ourselves, and I am faithful to those principles until death. I will not deviate,” Boko said. He further highlighted that as the UDC continues to govern in the second republic, it will hit the ground running with preparations for the 2029 General Elections, which will be the first since assuming office. “Our campaign starts now. Our campaign is based on delivery, ruthless delivery, and the next 12 months are about delivery, serious delivery,” Boko said. Though Boko said the party needs to hit the ground running by campaigning now, he said he has no ounce of fear or frivolity that UDC will retain its power, come the 2029. “Come 2029, Umbrella for Democratic Change will retain this government. I can tell you all here today. Umbrella for Democratic Change will still be here in large numbers,” he said.
To fulfil their obligations, Boko highlighted that the UDC government is intentional in increasing student leaving allowance and old pension fund as they had promised on UDC manifesto.
“Leadership is not an easy task, even if the country’s economy is grappling, we have to find ways to revive it. If we meet the majority of the things that we had promised Batswana, then the opposition will have nothing to talk about. We found an economy which was on its knees, infrastructure dilapidated, no reserves, and we are starting to rebuild our economy as the country was relying mostly on diamonds,” he said.
He, however, said they did not fold their arms but rather had to come up with ways to deliver their promises and keep the country running. In addition, he said they were forced to study a system set by the previous regime, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), for over 58 years, and he could confidently state that they do understand, as they faced sabotage, incompetence, and lack of skills.
“We could not just fire people like some were saying. Currently, the country does not have money, civil servants want their salaries to be increased, we absorbed special constables and are planning to do the same with teachers. Be mindful that accommodations for some civil servants are not in good state,” he bemoaned.
He said the reason why he is explaining all that to party members is for them to understand the state of the country, to prove to them that they inherited such issues, and he gave the example of the shortage of medicines, as he said it dates back.