31 May 2015

Multitudes of people, among them, the acting president, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, cabinet ministers and senior government officials, converged at the Hukuntsi kgotla on Friday (May 29) to witness the enthronement of Kgosi Moapare IV as the village's tribal leader.

Kgosi Moapare IV ascended to the Hukuntsi throne to succeed his father, Kgosi Pesalema Moapare III who passed away in 2012.

Speaking at the coronation event, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane applauded the Hukuntsi royal family for ensuring that the succession exercise was conducted smoothly without any disputes.

He said the draping of Kgosi Moapare with a leopard skin demonstrated true existence and operation of customary laws that some people thought had gone extinct. Mr Tsogwane noted that it was a well-known and documented fact that the institution of bogosi in Botswana had played an immense and invaluable role in the making of the current Botswana.

“Prior to our independence in 1966, dikgosi kept communities together and managed all resources for the welfare of their people,” he said.

Magosi, he said, took a bold and visionary step to seek for the protection of the country, a move, which he said guaranteed existence of the present Botswana since they left a legacy that Batswana cherished, protected and nurtured.

The minister stated that the current national stability and peace had been achieved through various functions presided over by dikgosi, which included, among others, trying civil and criminal cases, community mobilisation, dispute resolution and preservation of diverse cultures.

He highlighted that the institution of bogosi and the fgotla system remained relevant. He said the kgotla continued to provide a platform for consultations on various issues such as developments, governance and other issues of national importance.

The kgotla was a platform for dialogue where the spirit of democracy is upheld and Therefore, he noted that it was proper that the country’s constitution recognised as it provided for the existence of Ntlo ya Dikgosi as an advisory body to Parliament.

Minister Tsogwane emphasised that the role of dikgosi was not only to preside over cases but to also contribute to nation building.

In recognition of the critical role played by institution and the kgotla system, Minister Tsogwane stated that his ministry had taken a decision to improve the profile of the kgotla by amongst others, maintaining Dikgotla infrastructure.

For his part, Kgosi Moapare IV applauded the responsibility accorded him to lead the village of Hukuntsi to a brighter future adding that he will commit himself in working with all the stakeholders to improve the livelihoods of his community.

Kgosi Moapare IV raised a concern at the high level of youth unemployment among his community and vowed to find ways on how best to improve the spirit of innovation and self-reliance among the youth.

Ends