Botswana’s new President, Duma Boko, announced on Monday that Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe will also serve as Finance Minister, unveiling the first appointments in his cabinet.
This follows a surprising election outcome earlier this month, in which Boko’s Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition defeated the party that had governed Botswana for nearly 60 years. Analysts attribute Boko’s decisive win to rising economic discontent, especially among younger voters.
Gaolathe faces the urgent challenge of revitalizing the economy, with growth projected by the International Monetary Fund to drop to 1% this year, primarily due to declining diamond production.
“We are in a dire economic and financial situation. He has a huge job on his hands. He has to steer us through these choppy and turbulent waters,” Boko stated at a press conference, referring to Gaolathe’s dual role.
President Boko also appointed an opposition member as Deputy Health Minister and an independent as Deputy Agriculture Minister. However, he has yet to name a new Mining Minister—a key role in Botswana, the world’s top diamond producer by value.
Boko assured reporters that additional cabinet appointments would be announced in the coming days.
