01 Sep 2024

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Mabuse Pule has reaffirmed government’s commitment to bolster infrastructure supporting traditional leadership of Botswana.

Officially opening the over P329 000 Gambule kgotla shelter on Friday, the Assistant Minister said government pledged to construct kgotla offices for Gambule under the current two-year National Transitional plan. 

He said the shelter was an investment for the village’s cultural heritage, a collective history and shared future.

He said the construction of the kgotla offices and kgotla shelter was a game changer, not just for the Kgosi, but for the entire village. “It will serve as a beacon of authority, a symbol of justice and fairness, and a hub for community lives.

Mr Pule commended the critical role traditional leaders played in society.

 “Traditional leaders are the heartbeat of our communities. They are the gatekeepers of our culture, the custodians of our traditions, and the first line of defense in ensuring peace, stability, and harmony in our villages and towns,” he said.

In addition, he said traditional leaders were the unsung heroes, working tirelessly to improve the lives of their people and to ensure that their communities live dignified lives. 

He applauded the institution of traditional leadership for being the cornerstone and foundation upon which the nation was built.

“To this, the government will never turn a blind eye to their critical role. We will continue to empower them, to provide them with the tools and resources needed to effectively serve their communities and ensure that their voices were head and respected at every level of governance,” the assistant minister said.

Giving a vote of thanks, MP for Tati West, Mr Simon Moabi reported that North East District leads the way when it comes to kgotla shelters. 

“Compared to other districts, North East District has a significant higher number of these vital structures, adding that out of the 27 villages, 26 have these awe-inspiring structures. This speaks to the rich cultural heritage of our people and unwavering commitment to upholding the traditional institutions that served us well for generations,” he said. Ends