20 Jan 2020

Bogosi Act is under review because the institution is still relevant in modern democracy and Botswana’s development processes, Acting President Mr Slumber Tsogwane told Ntlo Ya Dikgosi members January 20.

Opening a capacity building workshop for members in Gaborone, he said the review was in progress with the draft bill still under discussion by key stakeholders.

Quoting President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, he underscored the importance of the bogosi institution in promoting nation building, preservation of culture and delivery of justice through the customary court system.

Bogosi, he said, was a unifying factor in forging and maintaining national identity, hence government’s determination to support the institution.

To this end, Mr Tsogwane said, a five-year strategic plan spanning 2018 to 2023, had been prepared for the Department of Tribal Administration with a view to heighten its proposition and elevate dikgosi’s powers to be commensurate with their responsibilities and governance structures.

He said dikgosi should participate in the impending constitutional review by consulting and engaging all the relevant stakeholders on how best to improve the bogosi institution in order to prepare for the review.

Mr Tsogwane called on dikgosi to reflect on issues affecting the nation including economic wellbeing of society and challenges of poverty, unemployment as well as inequality.

In addition, he appealed to dikgosi to prioritise fighting violence against women and children as well as crime in general by working with police and communities.

Welcoming Ntlo Ya Dikgosi members, chairperson of the house, Kgosi Puso Gaborone said the workshop was meant to acquaint them with their mandate as the national assembly advisory body.He said the house was working on improving its efficiency through the assistance of relevant stakeholders and strategic partners in the region and internationally. ENDS