09 Nov 2024

It was a heart-warming moment for Batswana as they witnessed the inauguration of the sixth President of Botswana, Mr Duma Boko at the National Stadium on Friday. The historic moment will remain etched in the memories of Batswana and in the history books of Botswana. After 58 years, the country experienced a change of government from the Botswana Democratic Party to President Boko's Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) following the October 30 general elections. Multitudes of people from senior citizens, middle aged, youth and children came to watch the ceremony from the big screens at different places across the city. Different fan parks such as Main mall, Molapo Piazza as well as Park 27 were the places to be in order to be part of the history. A senior citizen, Ms Macommer Mosime who was watching the ceremony at Molapo Piazza fan park expressed her gratitude for the event. She expressed that she felt honoured to witness the transition of government. “I am happy that since 1966 when the country got independence to date I am present to see the new government taking over. we will support and be with him so that he can do what he can”, said Ms Mosime. Ms Mosime highlighted that Batswana have to note that changes do not just happen in the blink of an eye. She appealed to fellow Batswana to be patient and to know that some things take time. To her, the inauguration of the sixth President was a big milestone for Botswana, having witnessed all the inauguration of the six presidents of this country from Sir Seretse Khama, Sir Ketumile Masire, Dr Festus Mogae, Sir Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi as well as the current President Mr Duma Boko. Ms Mosime said it was God's blessing to have a smooth and peaceful transition. “As Batswana we want peace, we like peace, as the previous government has been peaceful, we also desire to see peace reigning even with this new government”, she said. Nineteen-year-old, Ms Thokozile Phaladi, who also watched the inauguration on the big screen at Molapo Piaza had this to say; “It is a memorable event to watch the new President Duma Boko officially being presented to the public. My expectation is to see change on how things have been done especially with the high unemployment rate, which has been a nightmare”. She encouraged Batswana to embrace their new President. Still at Molapo Piazza fan park, middle-aged Mr Lesego Tshegetsang said he found it fit to join other Batswana to celebrate this historic moment. For him it was marvel to watch his former schoolmate taking an oath to lead the country. He described President Boko as an intelligent man who was known for his intelligence during his primary school days at Tamocha Primary School in Mahalapye. “I came to witness President Duma Boko taking an oath, I see change, going forward our country will be in a better position. I have known him since primary school. He has been very intelligent since primary school,” he said. As for the new regime, Mr Tshegetsang said his hope was to see the lives of Batswana changing for the better. Park 27 also had good numbers of spectators of different ages, amongst them primary school children who were seated well, with their eyes glued to the screen. As small as they were, they didn’t want to miss the opportunity to air their views on the inauguration of the President of Botswana. Nine-year-old Arnott Kebiditswe, who is a pupil at Taung Primary School said, “I have come here to celebrate President Gideon Duma Boko, I don’t know much about the details but my father will educate me. I am happy for the President”. "I came with my mother to celebrate President Duma Boko. I am happy about what I saw on the big screen,”said Mohau Kepaletse, a Standard 2 pupil at Batlokwa National Primary School. A young lady and also an entrepreneur at Main Mall, Ms Mogogi Ntesang, said she was grateful to witness the inauguration of the sixth President of Botswana. She said the inauguration should send a clear message to Batswana to understand that they are one and should now set aside their political differences. Impressed by how the transition of power went between the two presidents, Ms Ntesang described the inauguration as a memorable event to witness. She commended President Duma Boko for the history, adding that he had shown that love and unity were aspects that could lead the country to a better direction. Ms Ntesang also noted that seeing all the former Presidents of Botswana under one roof was pleasing. As the government has changed, she said, her hopes were to see a revival of the economy. “My hopes as an entrepreneur is that things will get better as the economy performs well, a better economy means people will have salaries and with that I will have customers to come and repair their cellphones”, she said. Ms Ntesang said she has been in the business of cellphone repair for quite some time, trading at the Main mall. Ends