Lelope (bootlicker) is described as someone who praises a powerful or rich person in a way that is not sincere, usually to win favour or gain advantage. Speaking during a Kgotla meeting in Kgagodi this week, President Boko issued a stern warning that in the early stages of his presidency, he wants to eliminate bootlicking. He said that as a pro-human rights administration, they want to advocate for freedom of expression so that people can feel free to condemn the government when things are not done properly. Boko said people should be able to criticise leaders without fear of victimisation and bootlicking.
He said people should advise leaders when they are wrong or lost. “You will be trampling on your rights if you let a leader lose his way on your watch. You should instead advise leaders rather than criticise later when they have vacated the seat. You can’t say your leader was distracted by dancing when you were dancing beside them. Therefore, I don’t want to hear anyone criticising anyone who is no longer in a seat of power because it was the same people who were ululating and bootlicking when these things were done,” Boko said. Boko’s comment comes as some members of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) continue to criticise former president Mokgweetsi Masisi’s leadership during his one term as State president. Boko said he took his seat to execute people’s rights and fulfil promises, not to tolerate bootlicking tendencies.
