29 Mar 2022

Mababe residents have called on the government to tribalise their village so that they enjoy the benefits. 

Making submission before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution on Monday, residents believed that the move would improve land management and localize provision of services to the community. 

Mababe is a settlement situated in a state land and the area is also a tourism destination and residents complained that there was no life because they could not venture into income generating projects or practice farming because they were not formally allocated plots. 

“We want our village to be tribalized so that we can benefit,” said Mr Mmoloki Ditirwa adding that he had passion for farming as he acquired skills from Pandamatenga but he could not apply them because of lack of land. 

Ms Kgalalelo Barutegi shared same sentiments saying delay in land allocation was a major challenge as they could not benefit from the government available programmes to improve their lives despite their countless efforts to request government to tribalise the village. 

Mr Idea Newa stated that the welfare of residents was neglected as they had long called for Mababe tribalisation. 

He added that they could not start projects because of the delay to allocate plots and called on the government to speed up the process. 

“Re bolawa ke tlala ka ntlha ya go tlhoka lefatshe. Re kopa puso e tsibogele selelo sa rona gore re tshele sentle.”

Meaning ‘we are starving because of the delay in land allocation and we request that the government to respond positively to our plea so that we benefit”. 

He said Basarwa felt marginalized because they were not enjoying services just like other Batswana and called on the government to treat all tribes equally. 

Mr Olatlhile Reagile stressed the need for the village to be recognized so that they could be allocated plots and issued with certificates. 

He also proposed that the constitution should allow Basarwa to use wildlife for bogadi because traditionally, they were not into rearing of livestock. 

Mr Daniel Rothano called on the government to reinstate Remote Area Development Programme (RADP), a social services programme that caters specifically to needs of persons in settlements. 

He stated that the programme was beneficial as it offered employment opportunities to young people. Ms Keontse Kakonda decried high unemployment rate amongst youth and called for the constitution should cater for young people by providing job opportunities. 

Most young people, she said were struggling and competing for Ipelegeng program with elders to make a living and take care of their children. 

Ms Onkemetse Samoka called for amendment of the age limit in the Youth policy acknowledging that the policy referred to persons aged 18-35 as a young people and proposed that the age should be open until one wished to retire. 

Young people, she said were affected by poverty because age limit disadvantage them from fully utilizing available youth programmes.

 She cited that some had passion to venture into arts and culture activities with a view to revive culture so the generation to come could benefit. 

“If the target group can be amended, some of us can be able to promote indigenous cultural practices and role models in the society and stop fighting for ipelegeng works,” she added. 

Ms Samoka was of the view that arts may offer employment opportunities and contribute towards improved lives. 

She also suggested that the constitution should take into consideration the rights of religious organizations. 

She cited that during COVID 19 outbreak, churches were denied to exercise their rights of worshiping as they had to abide by stipulated times of COVID protocols. ENDS