15 Jun 2025

Dikgosi in the Okavango region have welcomed the review of Bogosi and Customary Court Acts as a positive development.

They review received a nod during a consultation meeting addressed by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa in Gumare on June 13. Kgosi Blackie Maenge of Mabudutsa Ward in Gumare said the use of the name Dikgosana in reference to Headmen should be abolished. He said tribal leaders must only be referred to as Dikgosi, noting that term Dikgosana was derogatory.

Kgosi Maenge equally advocated improved welfare and conditions of work of Dikgosana. Compared with their seniors, he said Dikgosana were at the forefront and had more engagement with the community as they were the first mediators of community disputes and any other issues. He said most of them were working under trees as their dikgotla were without shelters, offices and ablutions.

Kgosi Kebonyetsala Fish of Nokaneng said the amendments should close gaps in the Customary Court Act which belittled the powers of Dikgosi. Kgosi Fish said the Customary Court Act should be able to protect the Dikgosi.

Seronga Kgosi, Mr Disho Ndhowe who is also a representative of the region at Ntlo ya Dikgosi said they agreed with the bill to include titles of Kgosi Kgolo, Mothusa Kgosi Kgolo, but were against the proposed Kgosi I and Kgosi II titles. He said the Chief Representative (Moemela Kgosi) and Deputy Chief Representative (Mothusa Moemela Kgosi) titles should be maintained.

Kgosi Ndhowe further said the review should ensure communities were consulted prior to installing Dikgosi in their villages, saying there were incidents where there was no proper consultations. He said the reviewed laws should protect Dikgosi and revise some penalties, saying Dikgosi should continue presiding over criminal matters which would help the community and reduce congestion of cases at Magistrates Courts.

Member of Parliament of Ngami, Mr Philemon Aaron said there was need for the review of the Constitution for all tribes in the country to be recognised and to have equal representation at Ntlo ya Dikgosi.

In his remarks, Minister Motshegwa said government had realised the significance of consulting Dikgosi in the proposed amendments of the Bogosi Act of 2008 and Customary Court Act of 2013. Mr Motshegwa said it was necessary to regularly review laws and align them with the rights of the people. He said it was imperative for government to improve relations with Dikgosi and to improve their dignity by meeting their needs.

The Minister said that the Bogosi Act did not recognise the headmen of arbitration who were also referred as Dikgosana which he said was one of the issues to be addressed by the proposed review. He said there was a proposal to have a Bogosi Tribunal to mediate Bogosi related issues. Mr Motshegwa said communities and Dikgosi must safeguard heritage by documenting their history and Bogosi lineage. Regarding Customary Court Act, Mr Motshegwa said all Dikgosi would be capacitated on issues of law and mediation to ensure justice prevailed. ENDS