30 Oct 2017

Ntlo Ya Dikgosi plays a significant role in the national developmental process as an advisory body to government and help in nation building, says chairperson of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso of Batlokwa .

Speaking at community service/Cultural event in Kopong on October 27, Kgosi Puso said Dikgosi were the foundation of the democratic dispensation in Botswana by promoting unity and selflessness from families to even national level

He said dikgosi even during the colonial period played a major role in shaping the modern Botswana, by petitioning the queen against incorporation into Union of South Africa or the Cecil John Rhodes administration.

Kgosi Puso said the three dikgosi who petitioned the queen in England met in Kopong and subsequent preparatory meetings by dikgosi were always held in Kopong, hence the reason the area was chosen for the cultural event as a remembrance and honour to the forefathers’ role in fighting for an independent Botswana.

He said dikgosi  as keepers of tradition promote and preach sustenance of Setswana cultural norms and values as a way to keep the nation together and speak in unison in all issues of national interest, be it against crime, land resource utilisation and other developmental matters.

Kgosi Puso said in recognising the importance of dikgosi as a building block and important partners in legislation and nation building, founding fathers at independence stage enshrined the role of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi in the constitution.

He said Ntlo Ya Dikgosi had made it mandatory that every year they give back to the community as part of their corporate social responsibility and as custodians of culture citing construction of a traditional house and kgotla at Sir Seretse Khama Memorial School, construction of a house to destitute person in Gabane, donation of ICT equipment and food hampers among others.

In Kopong Ntlo Ya Dikgosi donated trees and ICT equipment for use by the Kgotla.

Earlier on, members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi  were treated to traditional cuisine, witnessed display of various cultural activities by local tribesmen, entertained by local artistes, poets and village choirs. Kgosi Kgari III of Bakwena  in his closing remarks said efforts put into preparation for the gathering was worth the tradition and cultural revival which dikgosi wanted  to realise.

He commended dikgosi for their corporate social responsibility across Botswana and for interacting with the tribesmen to appreciate what Ntlo Ya Dikgosi stand for in the national development. ENDS