Di Botswana politician wey do di unthinkable

Confident and well-mannered, Botswana new President Duma Boko carry di characteristics of a highly trained human rights lawyer.

Di 54-year-old thoughtful, fluent sentences speak of im legal education first im Botswana and den for Harvard Law School for di US.

And despite say e dey humble for victory, di fact say e win di presidency for di third time wey e ask show a single-minded ambition.

For more dan 50 years, opposition politicians don dey dream to unseat di mighty Botswana Democratic Party, but na only Boko make am reality.

Di crushing manner of di victory of im Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) party come as surprise, including to Boko imself, wey admit say e shock by di numbers.

But, e wear im signature dark blue suit, e no yab or celebrate wildly for im first comments to di media on Friday wen di scale of im win become clear.

“I only fit pledge to [di pipo] say I go do my very best. Wia I fail and fault, I go look to dem for guidance,” e tok.

Boko bin captivate di nation wey dey go through difficult economic times wit promises of change, employment and govment stipends.

“Pipo bin fall in love wit am and dis na di result,” journalist Innocent Selatlhwa tell BBC Focus on Africa podcast.

Throughout im campaign, for rallies Boko go ask supporters to come closer and listen to dia grievances for way wey make am appealing to young pipo, di journalist add. Boko dey serious, but always engage and dey friendly.

E bin also rule out to run as member of parliament and put all im efforts to become president – a bold move, according to Selatlhwa.

Dem born am for 1969, for di kontri Central District, for di small town of Mahalapye, Boko always get a sense of respect, according to relatives.

“E bin dey so focused to do di right tin. Im sense of justice run deep,” Im aunty bin tell local newspaper.

During im time for school, dem bin elect am as president of di student council.

For im legal career, e bin show as one of di kontri top lawyers, according to political analyst Lesole Machacha.

Passionate about knowledge and education, Boko always get a strong understanding of current affairs and issues for Botswana, Oga Machacha tell di BBC.

“E dey serious about fixing di kontri,” e add.

E become di leader of di Botswana National Front (BNF) for 2010, wey bin dey get more “communist ideals”, Oga Machaha tok, but di party since don move towards di centre.

But dem bin dey frustrated by di years of opposition defeat, Boko bin pioneer di creation of one alliance of di parties wey dey against di govment and di UDC dey born.

E bin come under fire years ago wen e bin describe di academic staff for di University of Botswana as “useless”, despite say e be former lecturer.

Many pipo bin take am as a dig at di country education system.

Wen one journalist confront am about dis on di South African news channel eNCA e bin respond: “Di truth hurt.”

Earlier dis month, im wife Kaone Boko bin tell di Mmegi newspaper say her husband dey principled to di point of stubbornness.

“E no dey back down from fight; no matter how big di enemy dey,” she tok.

One clue maybe na how e manage to stay di course and see off one of Africa most successful political parties.

Botswanans reject ruling party after 58 years in power

Voters for Botswana reject di country long-serving governing party inside result wey mark a political earthquake for di diamond-rich southern Africa nation.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi as e bin dey concede, say e dey clear say im party lose "massively".

Despite overseeing a dramatic change in Botswana, recent poor economic growth and high unemployment stain di BDP popularity.

“I go respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration,” Masisi tok inside press conference on Friday.

E don ask im supporters to remain calm and rally behind di new government.

UDC don pledge to adopt a new economic strategy wey go create well-paying jobs and distributes wealth wey empower all citizens.

Kgoberego Nkawana, wey dem just elect as UDC MP, tell BBC Newsday programme say many young pipo for Botswana remain jobless despite huge deposits of diamonds and tourism wey dey do well for di industry for di country.

"Di unemployment rate dey very very high and pipo dey live mostly on handouts from government because jobs no dey. So e dey really bad," Nkawana tok.

Di party don commit to create 450,000 to 500,000 jobs within five years.

Masisi – for office since 2018 – lead di BDP failed campaign.

Di president run with message say im party fit bring about “change”, but not enough voters dey convinced say di BDP fit do wetin dey needed for di country.