31 Oct 2025

Hukuntsi’s Kgosi Merapelo Tshweneyagae commended the Inclusion of Indigenous Languages in the national news bulletins.

He applauded the introduction of indigenous languages from different tribes in Botswana Television (Btv) and Radio Botswana news bulletins, describing the initiative as a shining example of unity in diversity and a significant milestone in cultural inclusion.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA, Kgosi Tshweneyagae said the initiative demonstrated the country’s continued commitment to promoting national inclusivity and recognising Botswana’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. He noted that for many years, some tribes, including the Bakgalagadi, had been reluctant to freely express their language in public due to societal perceptions that undermined its use.

Kgosi Tshweneyagae said the inclusion of various indigenous languages in national broadcasts would go a long way in restoring pride among speakers of such languages and promote a sense of belonging among all Batswana. “For us to all have a sense of belonging as Batswana, it is crucial that we see ourselves being embraced and considered as one people, despite our different tribes,” he said.

He explained that showcasing the linguistic diversity of Botswana on national platforms would also strengthen peace and harmony, as it encouraged mutual respect and friendship among citizens, regardless of ethnic background. 

“It is pleasing to see indigenous languages being recognised in our national news bulletins. This gives us pride and ownership, we can now proudly see that our language is being represented,” he said.

Reflecting on the Sekgalagadi language, Kgosi Tshweneyagae highlighted its diversity and widespread use across several districts, including Kweneng, Kgalagadi, and Ghanzi. He explained that this geographical spread has led to the development of distinct dialects spoken in areas such as Letlhakeng, Tsabong, Kang, and Hukuntsi.

“I have observed that the Sekgalagadi spoken in areas near Setswana-speaking communities such as Letlhakeng and Sekoma is more influenced by Setswana, while that one spoken in central Kgalagadi areas such as Hukuntsi and Macheng is purer and less mixed,” he said. He urged the Bakgalagadi not to criticise presenters who speak in dialects different from their own, stressing that such variations were natural.

“What is important is that we all understand what is being said, despite the differences. We should not worry when presenters speak in the dialect from their area of origin. After all, it is our language, which has unique differences as a result of our diversity,” he said.

Kgosi Tshweneyagae also advised that as the initiative progresses, attention should be given to training news presenters to ensure consistency and quality in language delivery. He further suggested that consideration should be made in adopting a standardised Sekgalagadi dialect for use in broadcasting, guided by linguistic experts.

Kgosi Tshweneyagae further proposed that the inclusion of indigenous languages should extend beyond radio and television to Government print media, namely the Botswana Dailynews newspaper. He said involving language experts would help develop standardised written forms for indigenous languages to preserve and promote them for future generations.

He emphasised that recognising and celebrating all indigenous languages had the potential to strengthen social cohesion, national pride, and a shared sense of identity. “Recognising our languages makes us all feel seen and valued. It fosters peace and harmony among us as Batswana,” he said.

For her part, Ms Sana Kgomo of Goo-Mosweu Ward, also commended government’s efforts to promote cultural inclusion through the broadcasting of indigenous dialects on Radio Botswana and Btv. She said the initiative reflected government’s recognition of the country’s linguistic diversity and a step forward in preserving Botswana’s indigenous languages.

She noted that for many years, communities such as the Bakgalagadi had longed to hear their language spoken on national platforms. “We have been waiting for a long time to hear our language being aired on national radio. It makes us proud to know that our voices and identity are being recognised,” she said.

However, Ms Kgomo expressed a concern that the Sekgalagadi currently being broadcast did not fully reflect the indigenous dialect spoken by the majority of Bakgalagadi. She explained that while the effort was appreciated, there remained a need to ensure authenticity and inclusiveness in the representation of the language.

She also suggested that presenters should receive additional training to enhance their proficiency and accuracy in delivering news in indigenous languages. “Our presenters need more polishing to ensure that they can fully carry out their work and reflect the language in its purest form,” she said.

Acknowledging the cultural diversity within the Bakgalagadi, Ms Kgomo pointed out that the community comprised several sub-groups, including the Bashaga and Bangologa, among others. She emphasised that as the initiative developed, future considerations should be made to cater for the various Sekgalagadi dialects spoken across different regions. Furthermore, she expressed hope that the government would extend the inclusion of indigenous languages to print media, particularly the DailyNews newspaper.

“It would be wonderful to also see the DailyNews, publishing articles in our native dialects, so that more people can read and identify with their heritage,” she added.

Ms Kgomo also welcomed government’s decision to establish community radio stations in all villages, noting that such platforms will play a critical role in promoting local languages and empowering communities to share their stories in their own voices. 

She applauded the initiative as an important step toward unity and cultural preservation.

 “This development shows that our government values every tribe and every language. It encourages pride, inclusivity, and national harmony,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, from Tsabong, Naomi Leepile reports that the introduction of Sekgalagadi news bulletin has been met with enthusiastic approval by Bakgalagadi community, who see the initiative as a major step toward tribal equality and recognition.

However, some concerns have emerged regarding the accuracy and purity of the Sekgalagadi language being used by news readers.

The initiative is already transforming the way many citizens interact with national media. A 71-year-old Ms Kobamelo Motate, a Bakgalagadi native who hails from Tsabong, warmly applauded the President’s efforts. “It has made it easier for us to listen to the news, and we are even enjoying watching television,” she shared in an interview.

For Ms Motate, the policy is more than just about accessibility; it’s a profound political statement. She stressed that the move demonstrated the President’s commitment to taking all tribes equally, with “no discrimination.”

Ms Motate recounted a long history of marginalisation felt by the Bakgalagadi due to their language. She noted that for a very long time, the Kgalagadi natives were belittled and undermined because of their dialect.

“We used to shy away or get embarrassed to speak our language at school because the Tswana-speaking students used to mock us,” she revealed, detailing how this environment made their learning very difficult. She firmly believed the introduction of Sekgalagadi and other languages would now “set them free” and ensure they were recognised like other tribes.

Despite this overwhelmingly positive response, Ms Motate raised an important practical concern; highlighting that the news readers were not speaking pure Sekgalagadi, which she said made the broadcasts confusing and difficult to understand.

She offered specific examples of words being mispronounced or substituted. 

For the word knife, she explained that the authentic Sekgalagadi term is “mohagha,” but the news readers sometimes use “khipa.” Similarly, for rubbish or litter, the correct term is “maghaghala,” while the readers are heard saying “madaghala.”

To resolve this issue and ensure the initiative achieves its full potential, Ms Motate offered a clear suggestion, that news readers should be pure Bakgalagadi who know how to speak Sekgalagadi authentically.

While the President’s initiative is signaled as a monumental victory for tribal inclusion, the feedback from Ms Motate highlights the critical need for linguistic accuracy to ensure the broadcasts are not just inclusive, but genuinely comprehensible and respectful of the language’s authentic form.

From New Xade, some residents said the introduction of Naro dialect on television and radio news had made a huge significance in enhancing the dignity of the Naro community.

This emerged through a telephone interview with Mr Tshotlego Digotlhong of New Xade, who stated that the introduction of the dialect in news bulletins had brought a lot of excitement among members of the community in New Xade in the Ghanzi district.

Thandy Tebogo indicated that Mr Digotlhong said the use of Naro dialect meant that their language was recognised as much as their existence as a tribe in Botswana.

“The mood is usually high as the elderly people look forward to the Naro news bulletin in the Radio. The youngsters would be requested to lower their voices when time for news at half past eight in the evening arrived, just after Sekgalagadi news,” narrated Mr Digotlhong

He said there were people who did not have a deeper understanding of Setswana language in New Xade more especially the elders, therefore the introduction of the Naro news received a warm welcome.

Mr Digotlhong called for the same to happen in government offices such as social welfare, tribal administration and district administration offices, such that people could be assisted through communication in their languages, for better understanding.

For his part, 66-year old Mr Daoqoo Xukuri, also New Xade resident, said since some did not have television sets they listen to Radio Botswana news, saying that they understood the dialect used. Xukuri expressed delight as he mentioned that one of the news anchor reading the news in Naro on Botswana Television was from New Xade.

Mr Xukuri said the promotion of their language to that level had fostered a sense of identity and empowered them as a community.

He said the development had also promoted access to information as previously they could not understand some of the issues communicated in Setswana news bulletins. Mr Xukuri called for the introduction of news in another dialect of Basarwa such as Dxanakhoi.

Additionally, Mr Johannes Tshara, 47-years old, said they were proud and felt they had a sense of belonging. Mr Tshara said the use of their dialect in news has enabled them to understand complex issues and had increased community engagement on issues of national interest.

Though he said they understood it, he highlighted that it differed with the one they used on a daily basis. 

Mr Tshara said their wish was that it could also be introduced in schools. He also proposed that the language should also be introduced in other radio programmes such as agricultural programmes.

Mr Tshara said the usage of the dialect would go a long way in preservation of their culture and language. 

He said its usage would help maintain the vitality and continuous use of the dialect which could have been at the risk of disappearing.

From Francistown, Kelebogile Taolo reports that this development has been deemed, by Bakalaka community, as a move in the right direction which fosters an inclusive nation.

A senior citizen from Kalanga tribe, Ms Priscilla Motsu expressed happiness to such development which she said had now made it easier for them to understand what was happening in the country in terms of development and other important issues.

Speaking in an interview, the 71-year old Motsu who is a street vendor in the city, said the development meant that no one would be left out in current affairs and other important matters of this nation. She said for the longest time she missed on important topics on the news due to language barrier.

“As old as I am, I do not understand Setswana that much and not even conversant with it. At times I struggled to hear about the plans and ideas concerning our country as news were only read in two languages, now I am very happy as I am  able to choose to listen to the news bulletins in my mother tongue, the language I understand so well,” explained Ms Motsu.

She further noted that the development was long overdue since some Bakalanga who did not know either Setswana or English really lagged behind in terms of information sharing through news.

A fellow Kalanga in his mid-years, also a business man in Francistown, Mr Gaone Baoleni applauded the government for approving the use of other languages on the National television and radio.

He said as Kalanga man, this on its own gave him pride knowing that his mother language was well recognised. 

He said this also would serve as language exchange since other people would want to learn any language of their choice through news. 

“These are our indigenous languages, we have to embrace and be proud of them as different as they are, and also be flexible to learn them. For those who do not know Setswana and English, they now have a choice as they can switch to listen to the news in Kalanga or any other language of choice,” Baoleni said. 

He added that the introduction of indigenous language in news broadcast meant there would be no language barrier, citing that all Batswana would be now up to date in terms of news and current affairs.

In response to the introduction of Shiyeyi as another language in the national broadcast news bulletins, Ms Matshidiso Gantsi of Gumare expressed happiness for such initiative, which she said was a welcome development.

Ms Gantsi said the move would help young children to have interest in their mother tongues.

Another Gumare resident, a youth Mr Mpho Mokomoto also hailed the development saying it would help preserve languages such as Shiyeyi adding that it would open employment opportunities for youth who were well vested in those languages.

Ms Tangee Korujezu of Qangwa said she was happy about the introduction of indigenous languages in news broadcasts.

The youthful Ms Korujezu said it would help especially Bayei elders who were not conversant in Setswana and English as they would be able to get information directly from the news anchors. BOPA