06 Dec 2020

Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana has requested Parliament to consider the inclusion of a religious leader among the six Specially Elected MPs nominated by the President.

When tabling the motion, Mr Nkawana underscored the importance of religion in Botswana hence the need for a representative from the religious sector in the national assembly.

He said religion was the largest constituency that had not been represented in Parliament. He thus called for a representative from the religious sector to be earmarked to add value to the house.

He said religious interests must be represented and Parliament must recognise such.

He observed that as a secular state, Botswana was built on the strong pillars of religious background.

He paid emphasis on the impact of religion on nation building citing the African traditional religion, which he said had kept Batswana intact even before the advent of Christianity.

He said upon the arrival of Christianity in the 19th century religion played a role in sectors such as education and health.

He said schools such as St Joseph’s College and Mater Spei College had religion as a pillar of their educational foundation.

He also talked about health institutions such as Deborah Retief Memorial and Seventh Day Adventist, which were also as a result of churches.

Differing with Mr Nkawana’s views, Molepolole South MP and Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng said the motion was lacking substance and had the intention of bringing chaos to the peace that Botswana was enjoying.

He said Botswana was a secular state and that was espoused in the constitution.

Mr Morwaeng said Botswana as a secular state, was neutral in matters of religion where everyone was entitled to associate with a religion of their choice.

He said the motion was unnecessary as its contents were currently catered for.

Mr Morwaeng argued that accepting the request was likely to bring chaos as evident in other countries where religion was used to usurp state power. Ends