30 Jun 2022

Toteng rightly belongs in the Ngami constituency instead of Maun West as is currently the case,  the village’s residents told the delimitation commission Tuesday.

Presenting on behalf of residents during a consultative meeting, Mr Baitlamedi Motsamai said Ngami constituency should start from Toteng stretching to Nokaneng while Komana up to Nxaraga, Maun and Xhaxhaba in the Okavango Delta should be in Maun West.

Commenting, Ms Eteng Nkakobang proposed that  demarcation revert to the 2014 boundaries where Toteng fell under Ngami constituency.

“We do not want to be under Maun West because we feel we belong more in Ngami.

The people we share the same culture with are all in Ngami at Bothatogo, Sehithwa and Bodibeng,” she said.

Adding his voice to the discussion, Mr Gabriel Kazapua argued that Toteng was misplaced in Maun West constituency.

The people of Toteng were Baherero and related better with people of similar descent residing in Bothatogo, Bodibeng and Sehithwa, all in the Ngami constituency, he said.

Komana-Toteng ward councillor, Mr Zahorerua Maoveka echoed the same sentiments saying  Toteng rightfully belonged to the Ngami constituency because its inhabitants shared culture and traditions with other Ngami villages.

Toteng’s Kgosi Charles Motshozo said the delimitation commission report should emphasise residents’ demand  to be returned to the Ngami constituency.

Commission chairperson Justice Mokwadi Gabanagae informed the meeting that the recent census put the population of Maun West constituency at 51 785 compared to 40 506 in the previous one.

He said it was crucial for people to express their views pertaining to their constituencies because they understood them better.

A number of speakers suggested that Maun, which currently has two constituencies, have an additional one. ENDS