About 20 years later, his party Marx Engels Lenin Stalin (MELS) has merged with the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), but Joina is still a confident politician who guides, teaches and encourages whenever he stands before a crowd of people. Joina gained popularity decades ago when he boldly said that MELS, a party with no footprint will attain State power. On television, he is a man who always manages to speak through directly to the audience. He has been the sole leader of MELS since its formation in 1984 and each year he is always confident to indicate that ‘the party is growing’. Joina, who feels that every Motswana deserves an equal share of the country’s wealth is a man who believes in transforming Botswana into a socialist country. The socialist has always advocated for social awareness in political decision-making and legislation. He feels that many of his views have been used by the government to better people’s lives.
The man who has never had a major political success has always been confident that that his party will attain State power one day. For a long time, Joina had also indicated that he will hand over the reins to young and new leaders who will to take over the party. His reason however for lack of change of leadership is that no one has been willing to take over because it would mean financing MELS from their own pockets. Joina has been part of this year’s All Party Conferences since P34.6 million was availed by government for political party funding. He always jumps into election races as a long-shot candidate, squaring off against the BDP establishment favourites. Joina will now represent the BCP as a parliamentary candidate for Tonota but he seems like a man who will never let a degree of doubt to galvanise him. While some have often dismissed the lawyer-cum politician as a joke, because of his optimism and MELS’ less footprint across Botswana, Joina is unmoved and sort of relishes being in the opposition.
Even years after his party merged with the BCP, the MELS leader will try his luck in Tonota once again after his last attempt in 2014. Back then, he was still contesting under the BCP banner but when the BCP joined the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in 2017, it meant that Joina couldn’t contest for the 2019 General Election. UDC, a coalition which the BCP was part of opted for Pono Moatlhodi who was then under the Botswana National Front (BNF). Now, Joina will have to prove doubters that he can win the legislative seat which has eluded him since 2004. Whether some do not take him sufficiently serious, he has defied the sceptics and managed to remain in the political game for so long. Even BCP president Dumelang Saleshando over the weekend during the BCP Annual Conference attributed his first love for politics to the influence of Joina who had formed a student’s study group called MELS back in the days. But once again, at the BCP conference Joina confounded expectations when he delivered a rousing speech. Speaking of the BCP conference, Joina said as the season of elections heats up, politicians spend many days without seeing their families.
“Spending all this time away from home brings trouble at home especially for a party which doesn’t have money. Politicians end up spending family funds on party activities. “Children and spouses don’t see us often but we want to thank them for their patience. I also want to comfort spouses and ask them to bear with us. We understand their plight but we are glad that they have released their partners to allow them to work for the party,” he noted. Joina highlighted that trade unions are very important when it comes to winning elections. He advised BCP members to engage trade unions as the party prepares for elections. “They are a very sensitive organ,” he added. Joina also said if the BCP wins the election in October, they will make sure that they address workers’ challenges as soon as possible. In terms of finances ahead of elections, Joina encouraged BCP members to help raise funds for the party. “BCP needs money and also wants numbers therefore we should not put all the burden on parliamentary and council candidates but as a party we should contribute even if it means selling our hens and asking for money from our uncles. Let’s help the party even if it means contributing two pula each and every one of us,” he highlighted.
Joina said they expect every member to contribute the little money they have as the elections season reaches the final lap. He said someone from the outside would think that this time of the season is simple but as leaders they face sleepless nights preparing for elections right from primaries to registering voters.
