Pretoria – SA President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Human Rights Lawyer Duma Boko on his election as the new President of Botswana.
In a statement from the Presidency, President Ramaphosa offered, “his warm congratulations” to Boko and the government and people of Botswana “on the success of the recently concluded election”.
Botswana’s outgoing president Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat in Wednesday’s general election.
Soon after the election results were announced on Friday, (1 November 2024), Masisi, whose Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) had governed the diamond-rich country for nearly 60 years, handed over power to 54-year-old Boko the leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition.
Boko was sworn in as President on Friday.
“President Ramaphosa commends the Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition on its success in the election,” said Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to President Ramaphosa.
President Ramaphosa said the successful elections “in our sister nation is an important and affirming demonstration of democratic maturity in our region and on our continent”.
He added: “As South Africa, we look forward to deepening our fraternal relations and cooperation with the Republic of Botswana, with outcomes that will benefit both our nations.”
