The recent electoral defeat of the Botswana Democratic Party (B.D.P.), which has governed Botswana since its independence 58 years ago, has sent shockwaves throughout the African continent.
A youthful electorate has begun to challenge traditional liberation parties that have relied on their historical credentials from the colonial struggle to maintain power. This strategy appears to be losing its effectiveness as younger voters increasingly seek accountability and transparency from their leaders.
Young Africans are prioritizing issues such as public corruption, job creation, and respect for fundamental freedoms over the historical narratives of liberation movements. Lindiwe Zulu, a member of the African National Congress in South Africa, emphasized the need for governing parties to evolve beyond their historical legacies when they fail to meet current expectations.
The "born-free" generation in South Africa, which has never experienced apartheid, has long called for new political leadership. This year, the African National Congress fell below 50 percent in national elections for the first time since the end of apartheid.
In Botswana, the B.D.P. experienced a significant decline, going from securing two-thirds of parliamentary seats five years ago to finishing last among four parties in the recent elections. Rui Tyitende, a political science lecturer, noted that this loss reflects widespread discontent with former liberation movements that are disconnected from the realities faced by citizens.
The implications of these trends extend to Namibia's governing party, the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), which is set to face elections in late November, where youth constitute approximately two-thirds of the 1.4 million registered voters.
Meanwhile, Mozambique's long-dominant Frelimo party declared victory in recent elections, but reports of serious voting irregularities have sparked protests among young people, resulting in fatalities.
Although the B.D.P. did not engage in an independence struggle, it emerged from the broader context of African nations gaining freedom from colonial rule. The party's loss coincides with high youth unemployment rates, which stand at 38 percent, significantly above the national average, and growing concerns about inequality and poverty.
Adam Mfundisi, a public policy analyst, highlighted that the challenging socio-economic environment has motivated young people to become politically active. He stated, "Young people had to wake up from their slumber, because no one would rescue them from hardships if not themselves."
Many politicians from the liberation era have struggled to adapt to the changing political landscape. Zulu noted that the older generation often insists on their status as liberators, expecting younger individuals to wait for their turn in leadership.
The B.D.P. maintained its power due to a reputation for sound governance and fiscal discipline, bolstered by the discovery of diamonds, which transformed Botswana into a stable and prosperous nation. However, recent economic difficulties have led to public disillusionment, with citizens accusing the party of corruption and mismanagement.
Duma Boko, a relatively young leader at 54, has now assumed the presidency after his party, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, won 36 out of 61 seats in the National Assembly. In contrast, the B.D.P. secured only four seats.
Boko's election campaign was notably supported by young voters, who expressed a strong desire for change. Motlhabane Maphanyane, a former founder of the Umbrella for Democratic Change, remarked on Boko's appeal to the youth, as many were seen wearing party regalia during the campaign.
A Harvard-trained human rights lawyer, Boko has pledged to create half a million jobs in Botswana, a nation of 2.5 million people. Despite similar ambitious promises from liberation-era parties, Zulu acknowledged that the failure to deliver on these commitments has contributed to their decline.
She concluded that "the demands of the people are changing faster than we would have anticipated."