Africa-Press – Botswana. Dikgosi should play a frontline role on issues of gender based violence (GBV) especially that it is within their mandate as community leaders.
This was said by Ntlo Ya Dikgosi chairperson, Kgosi Puso officially opening the 15th meeting of the fourth Ntlo ya Dikgosi on January 21.
Kgosi Puso said as dikgosi, every member of the society was as good as their child and as such, they should be concerned at losing a community member in such a cruel manner.
“It is your mandate to promote the welfare of the people in your area of jurisdiction as well as to help prevent crime within your area. So let us condemn acts of violence such as gender based related issues with the strongest of voices we could,” he said.
He also said dikgosi should form structures in their communities that would help them get closer to the community and even individual families.
“This would help dikgosi to know the challenges of the people they lead better and also help them address issues of delinquency proactively,” he added. He appreciated the Bakwena leadership for calling community members to address similar issues last year, saying it was the right way to approach GBV challenges. He therefore implored members to advice each other on such matters.
On other issues, Kgosi Puso said one of the achievements of Ntlo ya Dikgosi so far was striking partnerships with other government departments as well as parastatals and independent organisations, particularly the partnership with United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) on issues related to sexual health reproduction, saying it assisted them develop an action plan for Ntlo ya Dikgosi leadership and other dikgosi who did not sit in the house.
“Such partnerships should be encouraged if we want dikgosi to grow in their leadership,” he said.
He also appreciated other capacity building workshops that were held for dikgosi, saying they would play a role in assisting their contributions in the house during debates of motions and formulation of questions.
During its two-week sitting, Ntlo ya Dikgosi would be briefed on the mandate of various stakeholders such as Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Agency (CEDA), Botswana Teaching Professionals Council and government ministries such as that of agriculture which would give a brief on the newly established Temo Letlotlo programme. Dikgosi would also visit the University of Botswana (UB) and tour its facilities. Ntlo ya Dikgosi is also expected to deal with 86 questions and debate six motions.
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