Cracks emerge in Gammangwato bogosi
As political interference pits royals against each other Now some Dikgosi mull petitioning Kgosi Kgamane It’s a sensitive issue that I would rather not discuss - Kgamane
Political interference has allegedly polarised Bogosi in Gammangwato in the Central District and fuelled mistrust among Magosi. The trust issue was triggered when new appointments and expected renewals were not made. Some Dikgosi in the area say this matter must be attended
urgently before it spills out of control divide tribes and compromise service delivery.
In their quest to influence the traditional leaders, politicians are of late targeting headmen of records. Political interference in the region has pitted Dikgosi against one another since mid this year when tribal succession disputes in most of the villages reached their peak. Some villages were without tribal leadership as there was no appointment or renewal of contracts of those who have been serving as Dikgosi. Now with appointments having been made and those whose contracts had expired and were later extended or renewed while expectation was
for them to pave way for others- is said to have worsened the situation.
Botswana Guardian has established that some Dikgosi are now lobbying for Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane of GaMmangwato to summon all Dikgosi to discuss the matter.
Kgamane has not voiced out his opinion on this matter which is feared will divide the tribes that have coexisted harmoniously for ages. Dikgosi believe petitioning Kgosi Kgamane is the only solution to bring him up to speed to deal with the issue as a matter of urgency. It is feared that if not at
Let us not discuss that matter please. It is a very sensitive issue that we cannot discuss with the media. I would not want to be seen to have said things that would have potential to arouse tempers. It is an issue that has to be treated with the sensitivity it deserves.
tended the issue also has the potential of finding many Dikgosi entangled in political battles when the 2024 general election approach.
Kgosi Kgamane would not be drawn into discussing this burning issue.
“Let us not discuss that matter please. It is a very sensitive issue that we cannot discuss with the media. I would not want to be seen to have said things that would have potential to arouse tempers. It is an issue that has to be treated with the sensitivity it deserves,” pleaded Kgosi Kgamane.
Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kgotla Autlwetse has since warned Dikgosi not to allow politicians to interfere in Bogosi in anyway. He said tribal leaders should not allow politicians to be involved in these matters.
Politicians are very tricky, they would be involved not because they care about the leaders and their people but just because they know that they are benefiting, he warned.
He said this is why they have been calling for Dikgosi to play far away from politics and not allow politicians to deceive them. Autlwetse is worried that the interference of politics will in the long run spoil the dignity and respect that Bogosi enjoys as an institution. President Mokgweetsi Masisi last month criticised involvement of politicians in Bogosi. “I therefore urge our traditional leadership and Batswana alike to jealously guard this important institution which has served us well over the years,” Masisi said in his State of the Nation Address.