“In the phase we are in, people are happy and jolly. So, we tend to get a consensus very quickly. I hope it stays that way until the end...” President Duma Boko
Today has been EXACTLY 174 days since the UDC became the new government. Generally, a new government gives a glimpse of how it’s going to perform during its tenure within the first 100 days.
That is when it makes deliberate pronouncements and policies affirming its campaign promises or deviating from them.
Ascension
The UDC ascended to power against the backdrop of a nation wearied by a corrupt Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Many Batswana lived below the poverty datum line despite their country’s supposedly middle-income status; public servants’ salaries were too low, and there were too many working poor. Health care, education, agriculture, and infrastructure in general were in shambles.
The people were tired and dearly wanted change. They voted BDP out after 58 years in power. Everyone was happy that at least the nation had rid itself of Domkrag. Even the new official opposition in the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) was happy that DOMI was out of the way. The euphoria went sky high.
The promises
Soon, however, reality came knocking. The 100 days went by without the UDC offering anything to write home about except the encouragement for employers to pay their workers a monthly salary of P4, 000.
Choppies was the first to come on board, albeit with some of the salary going towards a food voucher redeemable only within the store.
Recently, Wilderness Safari announced a similar move. Then came the old age pension increase, which, though not the full promised amount, was better than nothing.
The De Beers deal
The government then renegotiated the agreement between Botswana and De Beers, apparently allowing the diamond dealer to back-pedal on some critical parts of the agreement left at the signing stage with the previous government. These allegedly included the waiving of a P9 billion (about US653.3 million) tax debt by De Beers.
Satellite The government then launched Botswana’s first satellite, BOT-SAT 1 (a legacy of the past regime) on March 15. Developed by the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) and EnduroSat in partnership with regional and international partners, the satellite will support various initiatives including precision farming, land use monitoring, and early warning systems for natural disasters.
BCL audit and commission of inquiry The President also instituted a forensic audit into past public spending. It is hoped that the P62 million audit by Alvarez & Marsal Holdings, LLC will shed light on any corruption that took place, its extent and who the perpetrators were, so as to bring them to book.
At the same time, Boko appointed a commission to amongst other things, establish if former presidents had influenced anyone in the public sector in relation to the winding up of the BCL Group of companies, liquidation processes related to the BCL companies and/or the affairs of the BCL.
The government hopes to find answers for over 5, 000 former BCL employees and their families about why the mine was closed.
Magosi et-al Meanwhile, there were calls for the new government to remove some organisational leaders in the public service believed or suspected to have been key in maladministration, corruption, and poor governance. Chief among these was the head of the Directorate of Intelligence and Intelligence Services, Peter Magosi. Ostensibly reluctant to remove him, and in what has been seen as an attempt to dilute Magosi’s power and influence, the president appointed his former partner at his law firm, Aobakwe Monamo, as the DIS Deputy Director General. None of the former ministry heads were removed, including those who openly admitted to acting corruptly. The government’s position was that due process of law must be followed. None of the officials has so far been charged, and they continue to lead government ministries or agencies.
Lifting ban on vegetables
Another development worth mentioning is the government’s lifting of the vegetable import ban, imposed by the previous administrators to stimulate and protect local agriculture. The lifting was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 began on December 1, 2024 and allowed the importation of vegetables like turmeric, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. Phase 2, starting in April 2025, relaxed restrictions against the importation of beetroot, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and other produce. The decision split opinion in half, with vegetable farmers crying most foul. The government, however, was quick to state that the decision was made to address acute local demand and improve the supply of fresh vegetables.
Nominated Councillors quandary Barely a week earlier, the Local Government and Traditional Affairs minister, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, withdrew appointments of specially nominated councillors amidst much discontent among his fellow UDC foot soldiers who felt overlooked. The Vice President, whose own hopefuls from the Alliance for Progressives (which forms part of the three-party UDC), was reportedly also not too happy. The main opposition, BCP, was not impressed either, blaming Motshegwa for ignoring the social contract binding the UDC to nominate councillors in proportion to party representation in Parliament. The UDC had previously queried the same attitude by BDP. Motshegwa would later re-appoint the councillors - a whooping 153 all, up from 119. It caused consternation among both faithful and opposition, as the country was reportedly broke.
Industrial relations In what may be seen as a litmus test for the UDC government’s employee relations policies, it has already exchanged fire with at least four of the country’s trade unions, being the Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) and the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Unions (BOSETU), the Botswana Nurses Union and the Botswana Doctors Union (BDU).
Child Welfare and Basic Education minister Nono Kgafela-Mokoka stoked the fire when she banned corporal punishment in schools “pending the enactment of new legislation.” In justifying her decision, she said five teachers in Selebi-Phikwe had taken turns to beat a learner.
The example was a poor unresearched one, and the unions angrily dismissed it and questioned her ability to differentiate between gossip and fact. She also prohibited schools from asking learners to bring A4 rims, which the schools have been asking of parents as a cost-sharing measure amidst dire shortage of resources.
The teacher unions have argued that the ban on corporal punishment will make it difficult for them to correct wayward learners. The moratorium on A4 rims, on the other hand, means they cannot photocopy notes and prepare tests for the children. Many teachers have openly but sarcastically promised they will happily oblige her.
Meanwhile, the minister is stoking another monster where she wants to ban parents from administering corporal punishment on their children. Another issue that promises to grow into a monster is the standoff between doctors and the government over their working conditions and remuneration. On April 18, the Industrial Court gave an interim order for doctors to go to work and be on call during the holidays in favour of the government.
The doctors, through their union, however, have said there was no need to go to court as they have not abandoned their jobs but merely following pieces of legislation guiding their practice and employment in the public service.
While applauded by some, the decision to litigate by government has been seen as antagonistic and dangerous. The doctors have complained among others about workload and fatigue. The nurses, whose demands are similar to those of the doctors, have expressed solidarity with them.
The puff adder is waiting
The government has announced a 1.5 percent tax hike against “top-earning” workers as part of its fund-raising efforts. The hike, if implemented, will see any person earning P13 000 and above paying a 26.5 percent tax.
The announcement has not gone down well with many as they feel government is lumping the working poor together with well-paid senior officers and executives.
They are particularly incensed as soon thereafter the government nearly doubled ministers’ allowances, raising the housing allowance to P21 000 from P15 000 (44% increase) and furniture allowance to P1.2 million from P700 000 (71.4% increase). The government has not yet announced when it plans to implement the tax increase.
More worrying announcements While the UDC has previously condemned the direct tender method, as it saw it as open to abuse, the President announced this week that his government would opt for direct tender, “for some projects.” Although, as expected, there has been criticism from the opposition, there have also been a good number of those who applauded the announcement.
The UDC appears to be riding on a massive wave of goodwill, as succinctly stated by its leader and President of the Republic, Duma Boko: “ In the phase we are in, people are happy and jolly. So, we tend to get a consensus very quickly. I hope it stays that way until the end...” Although he was referring to the appointment of Specially Elected MPs, the statement may very well apply to other spheres. Will it last until the end?
