Africa-Press – Botswana. Royal houses have been challenged to discuss and finalise Bogosi succession plans in private before inviting public opinions.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with Chobe residents on the review of the Bogosi Act and the Customary Court Act in Kasane on Monday, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said the Bogosi institution was marred by disputes due to lack of consultations within the royal house.
He said every royal house was privy to the succession plan of their respective house hence it was essential that only the suitable delegates, being uncles, aunts discuss the succession plan. This, he said, would eliminate disputes, confusion and unresolved chieftainship matters that were caused by lack of proper consultations by the royal house.
Mr Motshegwa pointed that once succession was discussed and finalised by the royal house, a name would be announced to the public and subsequently to government for approval and gazettment. The minister also pleaded with every village and tribe to document the history and lineage of their Bogosi in order to have sufficient archives that would be used for generations to come.
He further said the review of Bogosi Act would profile the roles of dikgosi and grade them so that the structures were well defined. Mr Motshegwa indicated that dikgosi would be empowered to mould, instill discipline and fight moral decay in society.
He highlighted the need to capacitate and upskill them.The chairperson of the review committee, Kgosi Puso of Batlokwa said the review of Bogosi Act would incorporate and define the role of the royal house. He said the review also intended to make kgosikgolo title official. He said only five roles were incorporated in the Bogosi Act 2008, adding that the title of kgosikgolo would be added, kgosikgolo assistant, kgosi, kgosi representative one and two, and headman of arbitration.
Kgosi Puso indicated that Section 17 of Bogosi Act, which defined the functions of dikgosi, would be amended to expand the functions to kgosi, being a strategic leader who promoted, preserved and safeguarded history and cultural heritage. He stated that it was imperative that dikgosi enrolled their children to acquire qualifications so that when Section 4 was amended to insert a qualification for a kgosi position, the heirs would possess such.
Kgosi Rebecca Banika of Pandamatenga called for the formation of a Tribunal that would address Bogosi disputes. She said there was a need for a council that would address the welfare of dikgosi in order for them to be empowered and achieve prosperity.
Kgosi Banika concurred that capacitation and education of dikgosi was a welcome development for them to be well versed on current affairs.
Kasane Court president, Mr Patrick Morwagabuse said Section 4 of the Bogosi Act should be amended to add a clause of minimum qualifications requirements for a kgosi. He stated that the dynamics of holding kgosi title required one to be well versed with Bogosi Act, Customary Court Act, Penal Code and other legal instruments in order to be efficient in the dispensation of justice and presiding over cases.
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