African Hero founder Zunaid Moti has suggested that concerns surrounding his relationship with President Duma Boko and the recently launched Duma Boko School and Clinic are rooted in public perceptions of corruption under previous governments. Speaking at the launch of the African Hero initiative in Gaborone, Moti rejected suggestions that government money had been used to fund the project. “The President has not committed the government to any money here,” Moti said. “And me personally, I’ve never received one pula from the Botswana government since I’ve arrived here. Let’s get that very clear.”
The remarks came amid public debate over the funding of the Block 7 school and clinic and the nature of Moti’s association with President Boko.
According to African Hero, the school and clinic were funded by Jindal Power and constructed without government funding. The organisation says the facilities are the first flagship project under an initiative to deliver schools, clinics and technical colleges across Africa.
Moti attributed public scepticism to experiences under previous administrations.
“Donors, corporate sponsors and philanthropists all want to give Africa money,” he said. “The thing that holds them back, and I know why you’re so surprised, is because, like previous governments and previous regimes that have ruled this country, some of the hands have been in the coffers.”
“Donors, corporate sponsors and philanthropists all want to give Africa money,” he said. “The thing that holds them back, and I know why you’re so surprised, is because, like previous governments and previous regimes that have ruled this country, some of the hands have been in the coffers.”
Although Moti did not name any particular administration, he referred to “previous governments and previous regimes” while discussing corruption concerns. Moti said the controversy surrounding the project reflected a belief that large initiatives involving political leaders and private-sector figures could not operate without corruption. “So today you cannot understand why this works without corruption,” he said.
He said donors and philanthropists wanted assurances that projects were properly managed and maintained. “They want to know that their money is spent correctly, that value is created, that there’s deliverability,” Moti said. “They want to know, at the end of the day, that there is a responsibility of looking after what they’ve left behind.” Returning to the issue of public concern, Moti said: “So yes, you are confused, and that’s because previous, perhaps, governments have had their hands in the coffers. That’s why you don’t understand how this system works.”
President Boko, who is the founding chairman of African Hero, officially launched the initiative and the Block 7 facilities during the event.
African Hero says it plans to expand its model to other parts of Botswana and into other African countries, with Malawi already identified for future rollout of schools and clinics. Moti maintained that the project was not funded by government and called for an end to speculation surrounding it.
“It’s not a government-funded project,” he said. “So please put that to bed, all the nuances, all the social media nonsense. Let’s put it to bed. Let’s use this as an opportunity to celebrate a new initiative with no corruption.”
