10 Aug 2026

Government is working towards documenting Botswana’s diverse cultures, traditions and family lineages in a move aimed at preserving the country’s heritage, strengthening cultural identity and helping resolve disputes within families and communities.

Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, said when officiating the Bogosi Association Annual General Conference, in Maun recently.

Mr Motshegwa said documenting the customs and traditions of every ethnic group in Botswana would ensure that cultural practices and indigenous knowledge were preserved and passed on to future generations.

The initiative will also include documenting family lineages, since proper records will assist in resolving family disputes, succession matters and issues relating to traditional leadership.

“Our cultures and traditions define who we are as a people and if they are not documented, there is a risk that future generations may lose an important part of their identity,” said Mr Motshegwa.

He said Dikgosi remained central to promoting peace, unity and social cohesion, noting that their leadership continued to shape communities through dialogue, mediation and conflict resolution.

Mr Motshegwa stated that many social challenges confronting communities today, including Gender-Based Violence and family conflicts, were less prevalent in the past because traditional family structures played a more active role in resolving disputes.

He said elders, including uncles and other family members, traditionally mediated disagreements between couples and relatives before they escalated, a practice he said had gradually diminished over time.

“There is need to revive these social structures and strengthen community values so that we restore harmony within our families and communities,” he said.

The minister further underscored the importance of the kgotla, describing it as an indispensable institution that promotes consultation, unity and collective decision-making.

Kgosi Tawana,  on the other hand called on Dikgosi across the country to remain united and speak with one voice on matters affecting bogosi.

He said unity among traditional leaders was essential in protecting the integrity of the institution and ensuring it continued to play its constitutional and developmental role within communities.

Kgosi Tawana further urged  Dikgosi to uphold the values of fairness, integrity and accountability, saying communities continued to look to traditional leaders for guidance, stability and the preservation of Botswana’s cultural heritage.

Bogosi Association organiser, Kgosi Galeakanye Modise, said the annual conference provided a platform for dikgosi from across the country to reflect on the performance of the institution of bogosi and identify ways of improving service delivery to communities

He said the gathering also enabled traditional leaders to exchange ideas, discuss challenges affecting the execution of their responsibilities and collectively develop practical solutions to bottlenecks hindering the effective discharge of their duties.

Kgosi Modise added that the conference reaffirmed the association’s commitment to strengthening traditional leadership as a key partner in community development and nation-building.

Themed: Bogosi is the Pillar of Human Rights, the conference brought together dikgosi from across the country, to deliberate on the role of traditional leadership. in promoting human rights, preserving culture and strengthening community development. ENDS