11 Nov 2020

Batswana have been implored to retrace their steps to traditional values which were the main pillars of society in the past.

By so doing, Kgosi Kegaisamang Ramokwena of Boseja ward in Maun observed, some of the current issues such as passion killings and moral decay could be curbed.

He said in an interview recently that passion killing was a form of violence that had arisen as a result of loss of societal values that kept the nation together such as respecting, and listening one another.

Kgosi Ramokwena said the escalating incidents of gender based violence (GBV) such as passion killings were disturbing and needed parents to teach their children the importance of values, love and forgiveness. 

The traditional leader attributed passion killings to lack of love amongst partners noting that most were women murdered by their lovers. He criticised assertions that killings of women by their lovers were passion killing as love did not hurt or kill.  

 Kgosi Ramokwena revealed that in past the elders used to engage their children on relationship/marriage issues adding that young men were taught that a woman was like a diamond and needed to be loved and cared for.

“During our olden days we were taught about the value of a woman. Our elders told us that a woman is a wealth, a precious gift and without her, life is meaningless hence we should handle her with care and respect,” he added. 

On the other hand, he said young women were taught to be, obedient, and nurturing.  Both men and women, he said were taught true love and that everyone deserved to be heard regardless of their opinion hence passion killings were rare.

 Today, the traditional leader observed, it was disappointing as parents were failing to impart this knowledge on their children. He cited that some parents often reprimanded their children using violence such as hitting and slapping thinking that it would mould them into responsible individuals.

Kgosi Ramokwena emphasised the need for parents to establish an open communication with their children and discuss issues such as  botho, relationships and marriages.

Solution to passion killings, he said rested with parents to play their role of instilling discipline and teaching young men to respect and handle their intimate partners in the most dignified way.

Further, he noted that victims of passion killings left behind children as orphans while the country lost people who could be contributing to the economy. 

Kgosi Ramokwena who is also a pastor blamed some religious based organisation and church leaders for their involvement in gender based violence. As leaders, he said they should be seen leading by example and promoting love, care, and forgiveness amongst their congregation rather than abusing young women hiding under the name of God.

“It was disappointing to note that while government and other organisations make efforts to address the issue of passion killings, some church leaders were undermining the efforts by getting involved in sexual abuse and love affairs with young women within the church,” he added.

He said church leaders should understand that they had the moral duty to be the voice of the voiceless noting that God had entrusted them with the sacred duty to challenge the culture of violence against women and change the way men treated women.

Kgosi Ramokwena said churches should not be seen as part of the problem but rather the solution citing  UCCSA church in Matlapana, had established a platform where they discussed issues of love, gender based violence related issues and wished other churches could emulate their efforts to curb GBV. Ends