29 Aug 2019

Botswana’s Kgotla system is one of the aspects that makes the country to be considered one of the world’s oldest democracies.

Officially opening the newly constructed Nokaneng kgotla shelter on August 28, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso urged the community to rightfully use the kgotla, adding that the place did not belong to the chief alone, but to the community as well.

She said the Kgotla upheld the idea of equality, where individuals were allowed to speak openly and freely, something she said contributed to Botswana’s robust democratic principles and its stability.

Ms Tshireletso also noted that at the kgotla, community decisions were always arrived at by a consensus, a tradition she said earned accolades for Botswana.

Consequently, the assistant minister applauded Ngamiland constituency authorities and the community for having included the construction of a Kgotla shelter in Nokaneng as one of the projects embarked on under the P10 million constituency fund.

Ms Tshireletso also noted that there was need for internet connection to such facilities to keep up with the modern world.

Former Ngami Member of Parliament who is also the Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Mr Thato Kwerepe pleaded with the local government and rural development assistant minister to provide chairs to be used at the newly opened shelter since there was a shortage.

He recommended local artisans who constructed the shelter.

For his part, kgosi Kebonyetsala Fish of Nokaneng requested that the shelter be connected with electricity.

He however noted that Nokaneng was one of the oldest villages in the North-West district, but the village was behind in terms of developments. Ends