In small groups, supporters of the UDC coalition, led by lawyer Duma Boko, gathered Thursday in front of the polling stations, impatiently awaiting the final count of the votes of the legislative election, which must be concluded at the swearing-in of Botswana’s new president.
In this historic election, the Botswana Democratic Party was soundly defeated, and trends placed the main opposition party, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, in the lead. Late in the night, the polls finally confirmed these trends. In the polling station where the vice-president of the UDC, Ndaba Gaolatlha, was, the supporters let their joy burst forth. Gaolatlha celebrated with voters, and quickly looked ahead to the challenges awaiting the next government, including reducing youth unemployment and diversifying an economy still more than 80% dependent on mineral resources.
Botswana is traditionally renowned for its beef production. Unfortunately, this sector is stagnating, as it remains a one-way trade. We want to create a real value chain around beef. It is no longer just a question of selling raw meat, but of developing profitable activities, generating revenue, and creating our own hamburger companies capable of positioning themselves on the international scene, underlines I became Gaolatlha.
The celebration scenes lasted all night from Thursday to Friday. For the first time in almost six decades, Botswana will be led by a new political party. The BDP, which had dominated the political landscape since independence in 1966, has given way. These UDC activists nevertheless keep a cool head.
“They are certainly not perfect, but change will not come in one or two years, because this country has many problems to solve, and that takes time. I hope that the people of Botswana will not give in to the pressure of time They must give our leaders the necessary time, because it will take time to restore order, repair what has been done and rebuild the country, underlines Edwin Madisha, UDC activist.
The new president Duma Boko will have to revive an economy which, although mainly dependent on diamonds, has been stagnating for months.
