31 Jan 2021

Assistant Minister in the ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele says currently there are no plans to establish the Ministry of Dikgosi.

He was responding to the motion tabled by Kgosi Joel Rakumako of Tswapong Region during the fifth meeting of the fourth Ntlo ya Dikgosi on Friday, in which he requested the government to establish the ministry.

Supporting the motion,  members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi said it was necessary to establish Ministry of Bogosi, Traditional Affairs and Culture.

He indicated that it was critical to recognise and understand that any activity within governance structures affected Bogosi, tradition and culture in one way or the other.

Mr Modukanele explained that Bogosi and culture had a major stake in agriculture, tourism, education, national governance, land management and many others, adding that Bogosi had over the years provided a leadership role on behalf of their communities.

He therefore highlighted that, establishment of the ministry might actually dictate that wherever governance functions have a bearing on Bogosi and culture, they may be transferred to the Bogosi ministry.

The key aspect, he said that should be focused on was the enhancement of a strong institutional structure around Bogosi, noting that this should not necessarily be achieved by establishing a ministry.

Mr Modukanele said Bogosi should continue to play overall leadership role as a key institution for community building, adding that it was through the institution that the overall governance system had been built.

He assured dikgosi that government would continue to engage on the issue and benchmark in different countries.

Tabling the motion, Kgosi Rakumako highlighted that Bogosi contributed to the success of Botswana.

He said peace and tranquility that Botswana enjoyed was founded by Bogosi institution.
Other countries, he said had this kind of ministry, which played a significant role of protecting their nations’ culture.

He further highlighted that dikgosi had long advocated for this ministry, adding that Bogosi issues were most of the time delayed because local government has a lot of other issues they focused on.

Kgosi Rakumako explained that some of their roles were now played by councillors and district commissioners, which he attributed to not having ministry specifically for Bogosi.

For his part, Kgosi Oscar Mosielele of Moshupa Region, said Ntlo ya Dikgosi had a major role to play of advising parliament hence the need to be strengthened by having their own ministry.

He highlighted the need to benchmark with other countries such as England that had given Bogosi the authority and dignity it deserved. ENDS