19 Feb 2020

Dikgosi continue to play a meaningful role in the modern-day democracy.

Chairperson of Ntlo ya Dikgosi  Kgosi Puso said this during a courtesy call by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) members on February 18.

Kgosi Puso told the CPA members that on daily basis, dikgosi in their various capacities and jurisdictions were entrusted with promoting nation-building.

“We are in charge of communities and it is these communities that build the nation of Botswana,” he said.

He said dikgosi promoted the welfare of their communities by encouraging them to participate in the development of the country and restoring order.

Further, he said dikgosi encouraged participatory democracy, through a traditional meeting place or kgotla, where issues of interest were discussed.

Kgosi Puso explained that the government, through its principals, used the same setup to engage communities on policies and programmes.

He stated that the system also afforded the government an opportunity to get feedback from the community members.

“We are also entrusted with preventing crime. We have judicial powers,” Kgosi Puso emphasised.

Another role played by dikgosi, he said was that of mobilising communities as well as promoting and preserving the culture of their tribes.

He told the delegation that Ntlo ya Dikgosi was given a constitutional right to advise the executive arm of the government as well as render advice to the National Assembly in form of motions, questions and bills.

“As an advisory body, the decision of Ntlo ya Dikgosi is not binding, but over the years our advice has been taken seriously,” he said.

CPA leader of the delegation, Baroness Joyce Anelay, said the country’s administration system had a great reputation around the world.

 She said the delegation wanted to learn, among others, the role played by traditional leaders in governance. ENDS