We Need To Introspect As A Nation

Monitor Editor | Monday November 13, 2017 15:49

The Botswana Movement for Democracy’s (BMD) infighting, which led to the formation of a new party, the Alliance for Progressives (AP), has been the talk of the country, with citizens giving their opinions through different platforms, especially the social media. Debate is healthy for a nation, as it can play a positive role in policy-making, and other important decisions that affect either the society or the nation as as whole. As much as public debate has heated up in the past few months about opposition parties, in particular the BMD, chieftainship misunderstanding seems to be growing in the country, and the very same nation hyped up about political squabbles seems not too bothered about what is happening in the tribal administration front. Over the years, a number of tribes in the country, had to stand up and defend what they say ‘is their right’ to be led by a rightful heir. Chiefs derive their power and authority from the community, hence it is extremely important for the chief to be someone who is endorsed by the community that he/she is going to lead. It is common knowledge that the colonial administration rendered chieftainship less important than it used to be, but tribal administration is still important to our country and it plays a very important role in our communities.   People in Mmadinare have expressed displeasure at the appointment of an individual who is supposed to hold the fort for the heir to the throne until late next year. Mmadinare is not the only place experiencing in-fights as other communities have also been meeting at their different kgotlas to register their displeasure regarding different issues, which affect them, which in most cases is about appointments of dikgosi. Residents of Lerala also recently expressed a number of displeasures with regard to their chieftainship. Lerala and Mmadinare are not the only villages with chieftainship crisis, as over the years many chieftainships around the country have experienced a lot of challenges. The lack of interest in the chieftainship crisis to some people might seem like a none issue, since the country is run by a ‘modern’ government, but we have to be mindful that tribal administration remains part of the processes governing the country. Chiefs continue to play a major role in different communities, and most of them wear many different hats, which include; that of a parent to the community, counsellor, arbitrator, mediator, ‘judge’, just to mention but a few.

nd production methods, which boost food production in Botswana. Ralotsia explained that they encourage Batswana to lease their unproductive farms or go in to joint partnerships with foreign investors, adding that government is encouraging farmers not to sell their land but to lease. Ralotsia said since there is abundant water in the river farmers should utilise it to produce food.