21 Nov 2016

Multitudes of people among them cabinet ministers and senior government officials converged on the Kang kgotla on Saturday to witness the enthronement of Kgosi Basadi Seipone III.

Kgosi Seipone III ascended the throne to succeed his late father, Kgosi Church Seipone II who passed away in 2010.

Speaking at the enthronement ceremony, the chairperson of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso Gaborone applauded the Kang royal family for ensuring that the succession process went smoothly without any disputes unlike in other communities in some parts of the country.

He said the draping of Kgosi Seipone III with a leopard skin demonstrated the operation of customary law which some people think was defunct.

He highlighted 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 protection of the country, a move which guaranteed the existence of present Botswana since they left a legacy that Batswana have cherished, protected and nurtured.

He said the current stability and peace had been achieved through various functions presided over by dikgosi which include trying civil and criminal cases, community mobilisation, dispute resolution and preservation of diverse cultures.

He noted that the institution of bogosi and the kgotla system remain relevant in the government of the current Botswana.

He said the kgotla continues to provide a platform for consultations on various issues such as developments, governance and other issues of national importance.

“The kgotla is a platform for dialogue where the spirit of democracy is upheld and individuals are able to freely express themselves. It is proper that the country’s constitution recognises bogosi as it provides for the existence of Ntlo ya Dikgosi as an advisory body to Parliament,” he said.

Kgosi Puso emphasised that the “role of dikgosi is not only to preside over dispute resolution processes but to contribute in nation building.”

The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Col Duke Masilo said the ministry had taken a decision to improve the profile of the kgotla by amongst others, maintaining dikgotla infrastructure.

“All of which is in recognition of the critical role played by bogosi and the kgotla system,” he said.

Dikgosi have over the years played a critical role in the country’s democracy and the rule of law hence it was appropriate for their working conditions to be of high priority, said Col Masilo.

For her part, Kgosi Seipone III applauded the responsibility rendered to her to lead the village of Kang to a brighter future, adding that she would commit herself to working with all stakeholders to improve the livelihoods of her community.

She vowed to find ways on how best to improve the spirit of innovation and self-reliance among the community and consult her community at all times. BOPA