TRANSLATE Govt urged to publish Constitution in Setswana
The government has been urged to ensure that all texts related to the Constitution and law are translated into Setswana for the benefit of Batswana.
Speaking at a leadership workshop in Gaborone, the director of the Organisation for Youth and Elections in Botswana (OYEBO), Bernard Bogosi said that while English is the official language in Botswana, it is not the native tongue of many Batswana, some of who do not have a good grasp of English.
He said that there is a pervasive perception that Batswana know English but that is not entirely true in the sense that the context of English in our communities is different from the one that is used in drafting and legalising the Constitution and other laws. He said it is important to not only simplify the language so that ordinary Batswana understand but to also translate it into a language that they are more conversant with.
“During our engagements with Batswana as we travel across the country, we have observed that there is little understanding of the Constitution, and often, the challenge is lack of comprehension of the English terminology used in the document.
“We use English a lot but it is not the first language of many Batswana, some who have a basic grasp of it. If you take a copy of the Constitution and give it to someone from semirural or rural areas for example, they will not be able to understand what is written or how it translates to their experiences and challenges, and how it protects their rights and dignity in a democratic and free country that is committed to the personal and national development of the nation.”
He said it is unfortunate that many electorates and leaders have not read the Constitution and are not even knowledgeable on the Electoral Act.
He said Botswana should inculcate a culture of not only engaging in continuous learning and reading, but also understanding their role in a democratic society and what their participation can do in terms of improving their economic and social lives. Bogosi also noted that in the revision of the Constitution, it is important to include stipulations that speak to the experiences of ordinary people.
“The Constitution should resonate with ordinary people and their experiences and be a blueprint for solutions to our challenges,” he said.
He also emphasised that the youth voice is critical to Botswana’s development, and in particular, the Constitutional review, expressing that it is unfortunate that in most consultations and review sessions, it has been largely elderly people involved, while youth are excluded.
“Youth should be the most vocal because the present decisions affect their future. Our Government should create a culture of including youth in decision-making processes because young people make up a large percentage of the population, and whatever is decided affects them directly.”