11 Nov 2025

 Amid the challenging economic trajectory, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has performed satisfactorily.

This was the viewpoint of the leader of Madibelatlhopho, Mr Michael Keakopa, in response to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Advocate Duma Boko on Monday.

Madibelatlhopho is UDC’s group whose task was to ensure fairness in last year’s general elections. Mr Keakopa said President Boko’s address basis was the UDC manifesto.

“He addressed the achievements, which were the promises that he made to Batswana,” said Mr Keakopa.

He said that through the SONA, the President highlighted the achievements attained during the first year in power, as well as highlighting those still lagging behind. This, he said, laid a foundation for more promises to be fulfilled in the coming years.

He said the President also highlighted the difficult fiscal pressure that the country faced, adding that when the UDC attained power, it faced a severe shortage of funds.

He said among the achievements highlighted by President Boko was job creation, as Batswana continued to find employment, giving hope that many would with time be employed.

Mr Keakopa also said that President Boko acknowledged Botswana’s high unemployment rate but assured the nation of continued efforts to create jobs and improve lives.

His view was that the UDC had done well in implementing its manifesto, because when it was crafted, it was not anticipated that the economy would be poor. He said the achievements were a sign of better things to come under the UDC government.

However, Thamaga-Kumakwane MP, Mr Palelo Motaosane, said the SONA did not offer solutions to the problems facing the country. For instance, he said the health sector was faced with shortage of medicines, and the SONA failed to give hope on the matter, other than making promises without delivering.

Gaborone City mayor, Mr Oarabile Motlaleng, said the SONA articulated issues affecting the country and interventions in place. Mr Motlaleng said the President, through the SONA, highlighted what the UDC government had achieved within a year

The SONA which was the second under President Boko, marked the beginning of this year’s last Parliament session which is expected to last until December 19. ENDS