05 Mar 2026

The state of tribal administration offices and the welfare of Dikgosi took centre stage on Wednesday during the debate on the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs’ budget proposals for the 2026/27 financial year. 

Legislators argued that tribal administration offices had faced neglect, citing dilapidated buildings, overcrowding, lack of transport and insufficient resources. 

They also contended that Dikgosi, despite their vital role in society, remained highly neglected. Bobirwa MP, Mr Taolo Lucas, argued that the welfare of Dikgosi and their work environment did not match their status as custodians of Setswana culture and builders of peace. 

In Bobirwa, he noted, tribal administration offices were antiquated and in dire need of refurbishment. 

He added that most stations lacked transport and officers were facing severe shortage of accommodation. Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr Omphemetse Kwapa, called for the opening of service centres in Khakhea and Maokane, noting that constituents currently travelled long distances for services. 

He revealed that villages such as Kanaku and Kutuku were in need of offices, as official appointments were currently being conducted under trees. Mr Kwapa further urged the ministry to provide an office for the senior Kgosi representative, who was a member of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi. 

Gaborone North MP, Mr Shaun Ntlhaile, called for the development of internal roads in his constituency. He urged the minister to collaborate with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to ensure that the A1 facelift included access roads for Phakalane, Gaborone North suburbs and Ledumang. 

He also highlighted that Tsholofelo and Ledumang residents faced significant flooding during rainy seasons due to poor stormwater drainage. 

Kgatleng Central MP, Mr Mpho Morolong, lamented that the current order of precedence made Dikgosi feel inferior. 

He advocated for the construction of a bus rank in Mochudi and proposed that total control of Constituency Community Projects (CCP) funds be handed to MPs. Furthermore, he noted that Mochudi lacked proper drainage and requested that two Dikgosi be appointed to head the Ntsinoge and Diphonching wards, alongside the resourcing of Dikgosana offices. 

Nata-Gweta MP, Mr Lawrence Ookeditse, raised concerns regarding the neglect of children in Rural Area Dwellers (RADS) communities, who were often placed in boarding facilities at a tender an age. 

He advocated for the establishment of satellite schools and improved working conditions for teachers in those areas. 

“I urge the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, to prioritise RADS children, especially regarding their feeding programme,” he said. 

Kgatleng East MP, Mr Mabuse Pule, supported the budget but urged the resolution of outstanding Bogosi issues in his constituency, stating that they should not be delayed by the impending review of the Customary Court Act. 

He called for a broader scope in heritage promotion and inquired about the status of the P2 500 allowance under the Ikageng Public Works Programme. 

He also requested for the capacitation of clinics, owing to shortage of doctors and social workers and also requested for a clinic with a maternity ward for Kgatleng East. 

Shashe West MP, Mr Jeremiah Frenzel, noted that most villages lacked social and community development officers and headmen. He questioned the rationale for hiring pensioners for the Ikageng Public Works Programme over young people and warned the ministry to be cautious of double-dipping. 

Francistown East MP, Mr Tiroeaone Ntsima, welcomed the empowerment of Village Development Committees (VDCs) to drive local economic participation. 

He praised existing social safety nets for the elderly and destitute and expressed satisfaction that Home-Based Care volunteers were being considered for allowances. 

Tswapong North MP, Mr Prince Maele, complained about the deteriorating infrastructure in 24 primary schools and invited the minister to visit some of them. 

He decried the practice of hiring Dikgosi on a contract basis, questioning why they were subjected to contracts when they were capable of serving until the age of 80. 

He also noted that headmen of arbitration lacked official stamps, forcing them to travel long distances to assist the community. Tonota MP, Mr Gaefele Sedombo, highlighted the prevalence of potholes in Tonota and Tonota West. 

While praising the Home Grown School Feeding programme, he urged the ministry to ensure food quality and called for an increase in allowances for sorghum stampers. 

He also expressed reservations that the Ikageng programme might inadvertently exclude deserving beneficiaries. Serowe West MP, Mr Onalepelo Kedikilwe, questioned whether the Ikageng Public Works Programme would attract the same level of interest from the unemployed as the previous Ipelegeng programme. 

He also decried the deplorable state of roads and drainage in Serowe. “We do not even have fire engines in Serowe, we are forced to use hosepipes for serious infernos,” he said.ENDS