15 Mar 2017

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe has cautioned Nata residents against tribalism.

Mr Kwerepe was responding to a concern raised by Kgosi Rebagamang Rancholo of Nata in a kgotla meeting recently who had said Nata was divided as a result of tribalism tendencies influenced by some who classified other people by their culture and origins.

The assistant minister noted that Botswana had remained peaceful and continued to be envied worldwide because of Batswana’s tolerance for one another despite different cultures and languages.

He highlighted that many nations across Africa were divided and had civil wars because of issues of discrimination resulting from tribalism.

Therefore, he cautioned residents to guard against such scenarios so that Botswana could remain in peace and for Batswana to enjoy the fruits of such for many generations to come.

“Let us tolerate one another as it has been the case for the past 50 years,” he said.

The assistant minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngami added that looking down on others because of their origins or family background was not going to help in nation building.

Furthermore, he said for their village to continue to develop, they should work together as Batswana not as individuals or respective tribes they belonged to.

On the issue raised by Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Mr Dinko Thuthuma that some members of bogosi leadership in the village did not appreciate their presence and work, Mr Kwerepe explained that government recognised VDCs to facilitate development in the villages in line with guidance of the district commissioner, council and other village leadership as per the government policies.

He added that dikgosi should understand that they were part of the VDC and thus should work to strengthen the committee.

Further, Mr Kwerepe emphasised that the VDC should remain apolitical in order to serve the people not as per their political affiliation.

On other issues, he informed Nata residents that through the disaster management office, government had heeded their cry to help them mitigate effects of floods affecting 12 villages with Gweta, Tsokatshaa and Zoroga the most affected.

He thus noted that since it was a national outcry, Batswana even within the constituency, should help government and assist those badly affected adding that so far they had received help from different stakeholders ranging from food parcels and blankets.

Mr Kwerepe cited the Chinese Embassy, among others, which he said had donated 200 blankets and 300 food parcels. ENDS