03 Dec 2018

Kgosi George Thwane of Artesia in Kgatleng District says the kgotla system has built communities as well as help maintain peace and security.

In an interview recently, Kgosi Thwane said the kgotla system had always been instrumental in building communities as a conflict resolution mechanism that worked closely with families and other relevant parties.

“During the time of tribal wars, the kgotla played an important role as a place of safety for women, children and other vulnerable members of the community. They all gathered at the kgotla away from the attackers,” Kgosi Thwane reflected.

“Before modernization and even at present, the kgotla resolved disputes through the arbitration system inclusive of Kgosi, Dikgosana and families.
 

In this system Kgosi often encourage families to discuss the matter first at home but if they fail to reach an amicable conclusion then they could report to the Chief or headmen”.

He said the system recognised the family as the most important unit where peace, security and support should reign then the kgotla system exists to harness and support those values at a higher level.

“We have six wards in Artesia. The sole purpose is to ensure that services are near people. Besides resolving conflicts either in families or the community, the Kgotla units people.

Whenever there are issues of concern or issues of developments, villagers convene meetings at the Kgotla to discuss such issues,”Kgosi Thwane said.

He pointed out that Kgotla promotes freedom of expression, tolerance, respect, oneness, peace and cooperation.

Kgosi Thwane elaborated that the saying, mafoko a kgotla a mantle otlhe and mmualebe o bua la gagwe gore mona lentle a letswe emphasizes the role of a Kgotla in enhancing community building.

He strongly encouraged the public to utilize the Kgotla system and cancel the negative perceptions that depict Kgotla as an old-fashioned wagon where people are punished for wrong doing.

Project Concern International country director, Ms Dorothy Tlagae, confirmed Kgosi Thwane’s remarks referencing her experience in the field of work as social worker practicing in the civil society sector.

“During the time when Botswana was hit by the scourge of HIV& AIDS, families and communities were torn apart.

The situation needed collective efforts packaged in psycho social support interventions and the Kgotla was very pivotal in the implementation of HIV&AIDS interventions”. Mrs Tlagae briefly reflected

She highlighted that Kgotla created a platform for people to gather and discuss issues of concern and come up with resolution strategies.

Mrs Tlagae reinforced that Kgotla continues to play an important role in building families and communities by the nature of its mandate and ability to work with various stakeholders such as social workers, health professionals and law enforcement agencies among others. Ends