Botswana’s new vice president, parliament speaker take oath of office

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Botswana’s new vice president, Ndaba Gaolathe, took the oath of office before parliament Thursday along with the nation's new parliament speaker, Dithapelo Keorapetse.

The new office bearers pledged to offer diligent service to the southern African nation's people.

They joined other elected and nominated members of the House in the oath procedure as the new parliament took shape following the country's general elections on Oct. 30.

New President Duma Boko will be sworn in on Friday at a ceremony in the capital Gaborone attended by regional leaders and other delegates.

Boko, who ran as the candidate of the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition, pulled off an historic win, ending the nearly six-decade rule of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which fielded incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi.