In 2014, actor Rick Yune, known for his role in the Fast & Furious franchise, found himself unexpectedly barred from entering Botswana. Just hours before the launch of Duma Boko’s campaign as president of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), the government imposed visa restrictions on Yune and his partner, British actress Jennifer Lindsey Bell. The couple, who had been in South Africa preparing to attend Boko’s event at Bophirima School Grounds, learned of the visa restrictions just before they were set to travel to Botswana.
The restriction, seen as controversial at the time, sparked speculation about its motives, particularly given Yune’s connection to Boko, a key political figure and UDC president at the time. The move marked a rare instance where celebrities became entangled in Botswana’s domestic political climate, underscoring the tension between governmental policies and political alliances.
Upon his inauguration as president, Duma Boko lifted the visa restrictions on Yune and 11 others who had previously been banned from entering Botswana. This action, seen as a symbolic reversal of the previous administration’s approach, aimed to foster a more open and inclusive stance toward international visitors, especially those previously perceived as political allies or influencers within Botswana’s evolving political landscape.
