- Says it seeks efficiency and stability in the civil service
- President Boko says meritocracy will be the order of the day
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has no plans to politicise Botswana’s civil service, the new ruling party has said.
This comes amid concerns that the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) struggled to implement its electoral promises due to a disconnect between the civil service and the party in power.
When former president Mokgweetsi Masisi assumed office on 1st April 2018, he instituted regular briefings between then BDP secretary general Mpho Balopi and senior civil servants.
Chief of Staff
Balopi was also included in Masisi’s travel entourage, with the party describing the development as essential for implementing its manifesto.
In 2021, Masisi appointed former minister Boyce Sebetela to a newly created position of Chief of Staff, tasked with aligning national priorities with the president’s political agenda.
Political analysts say for President Duma Boko to effectively deliver on his promises, he will need a committed civil service. “The expectations placed on him by Batswana are immense and he cannot afford to fail,” said one source.
Apolitical civil service
“He will need a dedicated civil service willing to make sacrifices for the country’s betterment in accordance with his election promises.”
At a press briefing called by the UDC Strategy and Policy Committee in Gaborone this week, Chairman Patrick Molutsi emphasised the party’s commitment to an independent and apolitical civil service that promotes merit-based efficiency.
Tensions
“We have experienced challenges in the past, particularly during former president Ian Khama’s tenure where tensions between political leadership and the public service created numerous problems for the government,” he stated.
As President Boko has indicated in his public appearances over the last few days, the UDC intends to run the civil service based on merit and experience, with programmes designed to engage public servants effectively.
Clearly-defined boundaries
“We believe that the relationship between public servants and political leaders should be professional, with clearly-defined roles and boundaries,” Molutsi said at the press briefing.
“We do not want situations where political leadership imposes on the affairs of public servants and vice versa. We aim to create an agile and responsive government.”