06 Jul 2020

The bogosi institution remains the key for the maintenance of a fruitful and successful democracy in Botswana, says Vice President Slumber Tsogwane.

Speaking during the 3rd meeting of the 4th Ntlo ya Dikgosi on yesterday, he said the institution continued to promote nation building, preservation of culture and delivery of justice within communities..

He said government held in high regard the role played by the institution as the nation’s reputable advisors and stakeholders.

Bogosi, he said, was recognised as a unifying force in forging and maintaining Botswana’s national identity.

Mr Tsogwane said for that reason government was committed to giving dikgosi the full and necessary support to discharge their duties.

Regarding COVID-19, the vice president said various government ministries would brief the house on the implications of the pandemic on government business.

He said Batswana’s socio-economic wellbeing had been dented by the pandemic adding  that its consequences would be felt for a long time to come.

Mr Tsogwane therefore people to be more self-reliant, especially in the area of food production.

He said one of the measures government had taken was to enhance support given to small businesses and small hold farmers.

Mr Tsogwane further informed the house that a lot of work was ongoing to contain COVID-19 as well as its impact on the economy and society at large.

He mentioned that through the strategic guidance of the COVID-19 Task Force, government has had measurable successes as signified by the slow numbers of local infections.

Government, he said, was keen to engage dikgosi further in a strategic effort to rebuild social and economic systems and to restore the confidence of citizens.

Meanwhile Mr Tsogwane has expressed gratitude for the P30 000 donation from dikgosi to the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

He informed the house that over and above the economic and health challenges Botswana was facing, the country was battling with violence against women and children.

The vice president appealed to dikgosi to prioritise the fight against violence on women and children.

On corruption, Mr Tsogwane said government would not shy away from addressing and rooting out all forms of the scourge.

He encouraged all Dikgosi to continue being exemplary by observing the set COVID-19 health protocols.

For his part, Ntlo Ya Dikgosi chairperson, Kgosi Puso Gaborone, commended dikgosi for the tremendous role they played in ensuring that their people remained steadfast and compliant to the COVID-19 protocols.

He encouraged dikgosi to continue working as foot soldiers to ensure communities remained fighters in the scourge.

“Our forefathers fought great and bitter battles to defend our land, the fights included famines and diseases that wanted to devour this great nation, it is our time to fight and win with the COVI-19 warfare,” he said.

Kgosi Puso implored dikgosi to join hands with government in the fight to save the nation. Ends