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.
