Veteran politician and United Socialist Party (USP) founder, Nehemiah Modubule, has called on President Advocate Duma Boko to overhaul his administration if he hopes to successfully implement his party’s agenda.
Modubule warned that retaining a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)-aligned administration while leading an Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government is a recipe for disaster.
Speaking in an interview, Modubule questioned the loyalty of top government officials, many of whom were appointed under the BDP government.
“What stops these people from discussing you with their old bosses after hours and strategising their way back into power? The BDP has ruled for too long to simply let go,” he cautioned.
He urged President Boko to take decisive action by removing or redeploying individuals who may not align with the UDC’s vision.
“Ha o tshaba go koba, re-deploy,” he advised, suggesting that leadership changes are necessary.
Modubule also pushed for a recall of politically appointed ambassadors, excluding career diplomats, to reflect the change that voters demanded.
Commenting on this week’s budget speech, Modubule welcomed the increase in the old-age pension from P830.00 to P1,400.00, calling it a step in the right direction- though it fell P400.00 short of initial promises.
However, he criticized the government’s failure to permanently employ temporary teachers, despite their positions being budgeted for annually.
Modubule also cast doubt on the UDC government’s employment targets, saying Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe failed to explain how the government intends to create 450,000 to 500,000 jobs in five years.
“The Minister deliberately avoided details. As long as they continue on a capitalist path, committing to such figures is an illusion. Employment fluctuates with market conditions-booming economies create jobs, downturns reduce them. This is not a controlled or planned economy, so making firm job commitments is misleading the public,” Modubule argued.
He urged the UDC government to be the change that people voted for, warning that failure to deliver on promises could jeopardize public trust.
