07 Feb 2022

 Men who impregnate women must marry them forthwith, Ms Tebogo Motsumi of Letlhapisa le Lengwe social support group made the impassioned plea during interest groups’ meeting with the Presidential Commission of Enquiry into the Review of the Constitution here February 7.

“Bana ba batsadi ba ba sa nyalanang ba felela ba kgarakgatshega fela mo batsading le masika mme selo se se bake ketsaetsego mo ngwaneng. Ka go tlhoka lesego bangwe ba bone ba felela ba tsena mo dilong tse di sa siamang jaaka ditagi,”she said meaning fatherless children had no real sense of family, which confused them so much that some of them turned to drugs.

It was therefore necessary that the law should compel men to marry the mothers of their children. This, she said, would help reduce instances where children became wayward because both parents would be there to care for the children and thus ensure their development.

She stated that in other jurisdictions, where this provision had been enacted into law, alcohol and substance abuse by children had been drastically reduced.

Mr Joseph Mosomane from South East Youth Business Charter, which focuses in creating a conducive business space for young business people, submitted the new constitution must provide for means that would ensure success and growth of young people’s businesses.

“This provision should ensure easy access to finances by youth businesses, that there are policies that promote ICT, Youth business incubation and those that protect young people’s businesses from the rigor of completion from already established businesses,” he said.

South East Framers Associations Umbrella Chairperson, Mr David Berman propossed that that the law must bind the government  to deliver on deliver on its promises as touching agriculture.

“Gompieno jaana balemi ba a lela ka didiba tse ba neng ba di solofeditswe ka fa tlase ga lenaneo la ISPAAD la Cluster fencing gore ba tla a epelwa didiba morago ga go ikgobokanya,’ he complained.

On another related matter, he complained about a growing trend where tractor owners robbed desperate farmers by charging them for fuel) prior to ploughing for them which was unlawful, as the government paid such tractor drivers.

Tribal leaders’ representative and Deputy Paramount Chief  of Balete, Kgosi Tsimane Mokgosi submitted that the institution of Bogosi should not only be recognised by the law but should become the fourth arm of government after Parliament, Cabinet and the Judiciary.

He said other than having done very well prior to being stripped of some of its powers bogosi did exceptionally well in land administration and as custodian of Setswana culture and norms.

On the constitution, Kgosi Mokgosi’s wish was to have a well-balanced document that would promote social cohesion and inclusion of all the people of Botswana.

“Gone gona le merafe mengwe e e neng e ngongorega gore molao-motheo wa nako eno ga o ba lemoge ele Batswana jaaka merafe a mengwe. Ke kopa jalo gore a er e ko bokhutlong dikgang tse di bone tharabololo mo molao-motheong o mosha,” he pleaded. He wanted the new constitution to treat all tribes equally, as it was clear many people were not happy with the treatment of some tribes as ‘minor’ tribes.

Mr Eder Eleck who represented Trade Unions submitted that the bill of rights as captured in the current constitution needed to be looked into to ensure it took on-board socio-economic rights.

“Human rights are interdependent and cannot be separated,” he said. He submitted also that the issue of automatic succession of the president should be abolished saying it was non-democratic.

Mr Eleck said the envisaged constitution must provide for direct election of the president.

However, Mr Newton Molefe held a different view saying direct presidential election had a tendency to plunge nations into political turmoil and chaos especially where the majority of legislators held a different view from that of the president. ENDS