09 Nov 2017

Members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi passed a motion that requests government to enlist the Kgotla as a democratic heritage monument in order to preserve it from extinction and modern development.

The motion was tabled by Kgosi Maruje III of Masunga who was of the view that Batswana must defend the unique branded culture of dikgotla.

Kgosi Maruje III said the outside world was singling out Botswana as a different country and questioning what could have made the diamond country to be perceived as different.

He said it was the rich heritage culture of the kgotla which had been the integral part of society, noting however that it appeared the rich foundation of Batswana was being polluted which he said was a produce of many transformation systems in Botswana.

He said he was not talking about all dikgotla, “but I am emphasising firstly that the concept of dikgotla should be preserved.”

For his part Kgosi Colly Cock of Thamaga Region said the dignity of dikgotla had to be preserved for the future generation. 

Kgosi Kgomotso Boiditswe of Serowe Region said the old dikgotlas such as where the three chiefs  who have their statues erected in Gaborone come from should automatically be declared monuments but said that should not be the case in all villages.

Kgosi Peter Chika of Chobe Region also supported the motion but said dikgosi were not taken seriously but the majority of important gathering were presided by them at dikgotla.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said she was against the motion but appealed to Dikgosi to take into consideration that that it would not be all dikgotla that would be made monuments saying those who wished to turn any kgotla into a monument should consult the commissioner of monuments.

“It would not be possible to list the Kgotla (as an institution) to be a National Monument since the various dikgotla were established at various times in history and have different values and history that will not justify gazettement. 

Nonetheless any community which feels that its kgotla has significance can approach the commissioner of monuments with information for declaration,” she said.

Ms Tshireletso further said the law and convention on listing sites as monuments had two requirements; creating a core area and a buffer area for management purposes, explaining that two Dikgotla at Kanye and Mochudi had been declared National Monuments.

She said a site was declared a national monument because of its values, significance, authenticity and integrity. ENDS