President Emmerson Mnangagwa returned to Zimbabwe on Friday afternoon, shortly after attending the inauguration of Botswana’s new president, 54-year-old Duma Gideon Boko, in Gaborone.
The event saw the presence of several regional heads of state, including Mnangagwa, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
In a rare move, several opposition politicians from various countries were also invited, including South Africa’s Julius Malema and Mmusi Maimane, as well as Zimbabwe’s Nelson Chamisa and Job Sikhala.
Mnangagwa had flown to Botswana earlier that morning from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport aboard an Air Zimbabwe plane and was back in Zimbabwe by the afternoon.
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While there is no formal connection between Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU PF party, led by Mnangagwa, and Botswana’s new ruling party, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Mnangagwa’s attendance was expected in his capacity as both Zimbabwe’s head of state and the current Chairman of SADC.
The UDC’s victory in the October 30 elections, which ended 58 years of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) rule, marks a historic shift.
Despite ZANU PF’s support for the BDP during the campaign, the latter came fourth in a four-party race.
While it is common for heads of state to attend such inaugurations, the inclusion of opposition leaders at the event is unusual for the SADC region.
The invitation extended to Chamisa and other opposition figures signals a developing relationship between regional opposition leaders and President Boko.
Chamisa’s invitation to the inauguration follows his attendance at the swearing-in of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, a leader seen as sympathetic to Zimbabwe’s opposition.
This trend suggests a growing diplomatic rapport between regional opposition political parties and emerging regional leaders who are not from former liberation movements.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

President Emmerson Mnangagwa went to Botswana for the new president's inauguration. It was a big event with many important leaders there. Some opposition politicians were also invited. Mnangagwa flew to Botswana and came back to Zimbabwe on the same day. The new ruling party in Botswana won after the old ruling party lost after 58 years. This is a big change. It's not common for opposition leaders to be at these events, but it shows a better relationship between them and the new president. This is happening in other countries too, like Zambia.

Mnangagwa Returns Home Soon After Boko's Inauguration

Botswana has declared a one-and-a-half-day paid public holiday to celebrate the inauguration of the country’s new President, Duma Gideon Boko.
In a statement released on Tuesday, November 5, government spokesperson Montlenyane Baaitse announced that Thursday, November 7, will be a half day, while Friday, November 8, has been officially designated as a full-paid public holiday. Said Baaitse:
<blockquote>
The public is informed that the President of the Republic of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, has officially declared Friday the 8th of November 2024 as a paid public holiday.
This decision aims to provide Batswana with the opportunity to attend the inauguration ceremony of the 6th President of Botswana.
In addition to the public holiday, Thursday, November 7, 2024, has been designated as a half day. This allowance is intended to facilitate safe travel for long-distance travellers heading to Gaborone to participate in the historic inauguration event on the 8th of November, 2024.
</blockquote>
Baaitse encouraged Batswana to plan their travel to Gaborone and participate in the celebration of “this significant occasion in our nation’s history.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Botswana has a new president named Duma Gideon Boko. The government has declared a one-and-a-half-day public holiday for his inauguration. Thursday, November 7th will be a half day, and Friday, November 8th will be a full-paid public holiday. This is to allow people to attend the inauguration ceremony. People are encouraged to plan their travel to Gaborone and participate in this important event. It is a significant occasion in the country's history.

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