His big picture focus clearly manifests itself in his choice of Cabinet and appointments of senior government officials. More often than not, in the old dispensation, political expediency was the principal driving force behind appointments as evidenced by the selection of Cabinet members within the confines of a dominant political party. That Boko is casting his net wide in the search for talent represents a statement of intent that his government would go beyond rhetoric and become a doing government. Conscious of the difficult and bumpy terrain ahead coupled with the heavy burden of getting Botswana' s economic train back on the rails and the daunting task of charting a new course, the President is audaciously breaking new ground by enlisting the services of the ablest men and women in the market to strengthen Cabinet and delivery in the public service. Boko’s approach to matters of governance is not without a historical parallel. The Presidential appointments can be likened to President Abraham Lincoln’s strategic tapping of talents from a mixed bag of allies and adversaries. Justifying his Cabinet of rivals, we are told; Abraham Lincoln stated, "At a time of peril the country (USA) needed to have the strongest men and that I could not deprive it of those talents." Abraham Lincoln was a political genius who never doubted his capacity to rule. But, he intentionally appointed the best minds and possible challengers because of his detestation of 'yes men' who would merely rubber stamp presidential decisions without subjecting them to thorough scrutiny. It would appear the President is looking for men and women would not only tender honest advice but also men and women with a restraining influence. Like Abraham Lincoln, President Boko is predicating his appointments on a desire to secure the services Botswana’s finest and ablest minds to drive the ambitious but not insurmountable task of national transformation.
He knows far too well that the success of his vision, fulfilling dreams of making Botswana a land of opportunities for all, creating jobs for all those who seek employment, seeking and luring foreign direct investments, revitalising, the hitherto, ailing health system, providing accessible quality health care, setting the country on the road to food security and building quality, relevant and skills anchored education and training environment among others would not only rest on a strong political wing but also on the strength of a revived and responsive public service. The public is essentially the life and blood of his administration and therefore, the President cannot afford the luxury of allowing the status quo to prevail. Creating a sense of urgency in the public service and wiping off a culture of underachievement cannot be over emphasised. The appointment of Dr Botswiri Oupa Tsheko to the coveted and most influential position of Chief of Staff should be read in this context. Dr Tsheko is a macro economist and international trade policy guru. As the Chief of Staff or the presidential economic adviser, he is charged with the delicate task of ensuring economic revival. As the President’s right hand man, he would play a pivotal role in the transformation process.
He is equipped with a wealth of experience accumulated over a period spanning close to three decades as a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Economics at the University of Botswana (UB) and as a researcher and consultant on regional economic integration. While serving at the UB, he offered Intermediate Micro- Economics for non-majors and Intermediate Macro- Economics for non-majors (international trade). Dr Tsheko joins the presidential team at a perilous time when Botswana's economy is struggling to place its head above water. President Boko has inherited a sick economy and the appointment of Dr Tsheko is considered a masterstroke to set Botswana on the road to recovery. Botswana's over dependence on one single commodity vexed successive Botswana Democratic Party governments but the quest for a much more diversified economy has been an elusive target. Overreliance on diamonds is equally a source of distress and discomfort for the new administration. Corruption is another cancer that Boko's administration must tackle and win. Youth unemployment has reached unprecedented worrying levels and uncertainty continues to plague the diamond industry and the need to search for alternative and sustainable sources of national revenue is much more compelling than ever before. Dr Tsheko's experience, academic credentials and economic prowess would be quite handy in the daunting task of getting the country back on its feet. The stakes are high and for Boko's administration mission, failure is not an option. The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) won political power on the basis of lofty promises and the high expectations made cannot be frustrated. Making good on promises made would require extra ordinary abilities and the audacity to venture into a novel and less traversed road. If conventional wisdom is wanting, it would be up to the likes of Dr Tsheko to generate fresh and courageous ideas. Apart from his glittering academic credentials and an impeccable record of service, one can say Dr Tsheko's loyalty to the cause of the UDC has finally paid dividends. Dr Tsheko stood by Boko through thick and thin, in times of adversity, at a time when it was not fashionable to do so. He played a critical role behind scenes in the mapping of strategies.
His contribution towards the historic electoral victory of the UDC is not in doubt. If you ask me, Dr Tsheko is what the doctor has ordered. He has authored and co authored books on Botswana’s economic landscape and the SADC regional block. Dr Tsheko is a product of the UB, having studied for B.A in Economics during the period 1987 to 1991. He subsequently went to study abroad at Manitoba University in Canada in 1992 -1994 where he obtained an M.A in International Trade and Finance. He holds a PhD in International Trade and Policy Analysis from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, obtained during the period 1998 to 2002. He comes from a humble background from the village of Sefhare in Tswapong.
