Africa-Press – Botswana. The Bobirwa District Council has voted to adopt a new logo and motto Friday.
The council logo will feature among other things a buffalo, sorghum head, hill, dam and a river as some of the natural resources in the district. The logo will also bear a white colour for peace and tranquility, sky blue for abundance of water and brown for fertile soils.
Accompanying the logo will be a motto, “O esi ga o ele,” loosely translated, united fronts deliver significant results.
Of the 17 councillors who voted, 10 voted for the adoption of “O esi ga o ele” while seven voted for “Bokhujejwa ba langana” mottos.
The features and motto were born from consultations with district leadership and general populace who tendered their proposals.
Following such consultations, the council leadership had run with a popular motto, “Bokhujejwa ba langana,” Sebirwa loosely translated, decisions must be arrived at after thorough consultations. However, people from Mmadinare constituency protested the motto owing to the language which they argued did not represent them.
They then reportedly escalated their misgivings with Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse, who consequently advised that the motto should be unifying and in a language that was official.
When presented at council, which had already flighted an expression of interest to design the logo in question, protracted debate and contests ensued with majority councillors from Bobonong constituency calling for adherence to the initial motto.
“I accept that we have Mmadinare as part of our district, but Babirwa have spoken in large numbers for Bokhujejwa ba langana. It is a democratic dispensation and those in minority should accept it,” said councillor for Mabumahibidu, Mr Boitumelo Kgosietsile.
He was supported by councillor for Motlhabaneng/Lentswelemoriti, Mr Victor Mphee, who argued that the motto in Sebirwa supported the buzz word of Mindset Change. He argued that a motto in Sebirwa supported Botswana as a united country with diverse languages.
“As Babirwa we may develop the idea that we should always be subdued,” Mr Mphee said about conceding to the Setswana motto.
However, councillors from Mmadinare constituency spoke against a motto in a tribal language saying it did not represent them and other Batswana.
Those arguing for the “O esi ga o ele” expressed that it was a Setswana unifying motto that was bereft of tribalism and hence represented all Batswana living and working in the district.
“We can’t waste time in this council arguing over the use of the language that is not official. The motto is best in Setswana as it is an official language that many can associate with and understand better,” said Cllr Martin Goitsemang of Mmadinare/Robelela.
In showing some detest to the motto in Sebirwa, Councillor Banabotlhe Mothobi threatened that councillors from Mmadinare would protest by way of a walk out.
“We will walk out and go tell our electorate what transpired here,” said Ms Mothobi who found the motto in Sebirwa tribalist.
For his part, the council chairperson, Mr Kgomotso Mmereki, called on councillors to find a common ground that unified more than it divided them. He said that more than being an official language, the “O esi ga o ele” motto was unifying for a council that not only belonged to Babirwa, but all Batswana. “I will refuse to serve along tribal lines,” Mr Mmereki said.
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