ANC statement congratulating the people of Botswana on the successful 2024 National Election
1 November 2024
The ANC warmly congratulates the people of Botswana on their successful 2024 elections and celebrates the resounding victory of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), under the leadership of Comrade Duma Boko, President of the Botswana National Front (BNF).
We congratulate Comrade Duma Boko on his election as President of the Republic of Botswana and are inspired by the democratic commitment of Botswana's citizens, whose peaceful participation and acceptance of results has reinforced the integrity of democratic values across our continent. This significant victory reflects the people's support for a more just, equal, and prosperous Botswana, and we commend the UDC's efforts to unite diverse political voices in pursuit of transformation of their nation.
The ANC also extends respect to the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) for their gracious acceptance of the election outcomes. Their commitment to upholding Botswana's democratic principles and respecting the will of the people is a testament to the strength and maturity of Botswana's democracy.
The ANC recognises the profound and historic bond that links the ANC and the revolutionary forces, rooted in our shared history of struggle and the ideals of freedom, dignity, and social justice. Botswana's people have consistently supported the broader struggle for liberation and equality across Southem Africa, providing a place of refuge and solidarity through freedom pipelines during South Africa's own liberation struggle.
Throughout history, the people of Botswana stood as pillars of solidarity in our struggle for freedom. It was through acts of selfless leaders like Comrade Fish Keitseng and Michael Dingake providing critical support to the liberation movement by facilitating safe passage and shelter for numerous ANC cadres that our struggle was advanced. Keitseng's house in Lobatse became a sanctuary for former ANC Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, among others, who found safety and assistance in their journey toward our liberation. Comrades such as Dingake, who endured imprisonment on Robben Island, and Motsamai Mpho, who was a defendant in the 1956 Treason Trial, are symbolic of the deep bond between the people of Botswana and South Africa in the shared pursuit of freedom.
The work of these remarkable people of Botswana extended far beyond their borders, supporting ANC efforts across Southern Africa and were integral in establishing secure pathways for ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) operatives. Their efforts cemented Botswana as a refuge and a hub for liberation, where countless lives were safeguarded and the spirit of African unity thrived. This enduring relationship between Botswana's freedom fighters and the ANC is a proud legacy that speaks to our intertwined histories of resilience and mutual respect.
We are confident that the newly elected leadership under President Boko will foster policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of Botswana's people, elevating their voices and enhancing their quality of life and serve to advance progress in the enduring pursuit of African unity and progress.
The ANC stands ready to support and collaborate with the newly elected leadership of Botswana in advancing the transformation goals shared by our common people.
Issued by Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, National Spokesperson, ANC, 1 November 2024
