Africa-Press – Botswana. The villages of Kolonkwaneng, Khawa and Struizendam and other villages within Kgalagadi South do not qualify for Dikgotla upgrade and establishment of Kgosi and deputy Kgosi positions as guided by the Revised National Settlement Policy of 2004.
Responding to a question in Parliament on Monday, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said the growth and development of Kolonkwaneng, Khawa and Struizendam demonstrated the ongoing national progress, adding however that their population remained at 715, 1 347 and 746 respectively based on the data as per 2022 National Housing and Population Census. Minister Motshegwa said the populations remained below the established 5 000 threshold required for such upgrade. “Funds permitting, due consideration will be made to upgrade these villages together with other eligible villages in the future as these villages continue to grow in size and population,” he said. He further acknowledged the vital role traditional leaders played in fostering social cohesion and administrative stability within rural communities. Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi South, Mr Tokyo Modise, had asked the minister when the dikgotla in small villages within his constituency would be upgraded to include Kgosi and deputy Kgosi positions, owing to their growth in population.
