Africa-Press – Botswana. Former president and Bangwato Paramount Chief, Kgosi Khama IV has implored Letlhakane residents to restore and preserve culture by teaching the young generation customs and tradition.
He said during a kgotla meeting in Letlhakane recently, that preserving culture could be instrumental in curbing societal ills such as gender-based violence and drug abuse among others.
He said all districts under Bamangwato should have committees aimed at promoting culture, encouraging even schools to celebrate cultural days. He said they aimed to set up committees on culture and heritage, agricultural, infrastructural, finance and investment, youth and media among others; with the umbrella committee based in Serowe.
He said they would document heritage and cultural sites for easy access by international tourists visiting Botswana.
Kgosi Khama said traditional dance competitions like polka would be revived, adding that through the agricultural committee, a market for farmers would be established.
He said there would be funding for youth business start-ups, indicating that he had already secured 14 sponsorship from United Arab Emirates for youth interested in construction. Airfare for trainees, he said would be covered under his office and two trainees would be selected through the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs from each of the seven districts in Bamangwato area.
He said it was crucial to have an airstrip in Letllhakane ease travelling of international tourists. For comments, one resident, Otsile Mmatlakgomo raised concern that chief representative of Bamangwato never addressed kgotla meetings in Boteti villages. He complained that Basarwa in Boteti were squatters, with no land to call theirs.
He raised concern that Basarwa were not allowed to bury their deceased in areas they originated from, which were in most instances deemed cattle posts.
Another resident, Boyce Tawana proposed that umbrella committee should comprised of members from committees in the districts.
He was of the view that Boteti be a fully-fledged district whilst main land-board be based in Serowe.
In response, Kgosi Khama IV said he would encourage chief representatives to address kgotla meetings. He said he would meet with councillors to establish position on the issue of Basarwa and how to assist them, noting that Basarwa being Batswana deserved to be treated equally like all Motswana.
On the issue of the umbrella committee encompassing members of the committees from the seven districts, he said it would presents challenge of transportation costs.
Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Keoagile Atamelang said merging of Mmatshumo and Letlhakane villages was a desirable idea to aid improving livelihoods of the people in Boteti district in area.
He said Boteti was a rich district with an abundance of minerals, wildlife, cattle and tourism, urging residents to utilise such resources for sustenance.
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