05 Feb 2020

Ntlo ya Dikgosi chairperson, Kgosi Puso has expressed gratitude towards the British government as a key developmental partner to Botswana through the long standing bilateral relations between the two countries. 

He equally thanked the British High Commissioner to Botswana Ms Katy Ransome for shining the spotlight on bogosi through several visits to his kgotla with different delegations from her country in her quest to appreciate the role of the institution.

Ms Ransome, whose tenure in Botswana comes to an end in a few weeks’ time, paid a farewell courtesy call on the Ntlo ya Dikgosi chairperson on Tuesday to reflect on the role of the institution of bogosi as well as to reflect on the fruitful relations they had shared. 

“Historically bogosi did and still plays a role in nation building, over and above arbitration. We also mobilise communities on issues such as crime prevention and uptake of government programmes,” he said.

Kgosi Puso underscored the role of bogosi in creating a strong foundation for moulding responsible citizens as well as imparting norms and morals on members of the community. 

Quizzed by Ms Ransome on how they were bringing young people on board, Kgosi Gaborone said  they were thinking of employing different methods to engage the youth on platforms that appealed to them. 

“As bogosi we should also be seen to be solving today’s challenges such as youth unemployment through the creation of community trusts, which can in turn explore investment opportunities with private partners to create jobs for our youth,” he said. 

Ms Ransome, who has been stationed in Botswana for the past four years, made comparisons between Ntlo ya Dikgosi and the United Kingdom’s House of Lords regarding their roles in both countries’ democracies. 

“Ntlo ya Dikgosi here reflects the different systems at work in Botswana being the traditional system in conjunction with modern Western-like democracy, which functions through elected parliamentarians,” she noted. 

Ms Ransome also emphasised the critical role of bogosi in engaging local communities and information dissemination, especially ahead of critical times such as the proposed constitutional amendments. 

“Dikgosi can then give feedback from consultations with the communities at local level to influence the amendment of the Constitution.” 

She also thanked Kgosi Gaborone for all the support she got during her tenure while stationed in Botswana. 

Ms Ransome leaves Botswana mid-February for a new role with Foreign Office in London, United Kingdom. Ends