Bogosi is integral part of Botswana’s leadership - Ewetse Khama
Wants to close generational gap through consultative leadership
Botswana has the opportunity to shape and maintain development according to traditions as the country heads into a new era, says Ngwato royal, Ewetse Khama.
Khama, who is a media specialist by profession, was speaking to Botswana Guardian this week, after it was announced that he would be leaving the corporate sector at the APO Group Africa.
Ewetse Khama is the son of Kgosi Sekgoma Khama, the second born son of Kgosi Tshekedi Khama. He will take over from his father, who has decided to take early retirement on account of old age.
His new role will place him at the helm of the Tshekedi Khama Legacy Foundation, which was set up to revive and reintroduce the positive leadership lessons that forms part of Tshekedi Khama’s legacy.
He will not be based at the Kgotla entirely, but as a member of the royal family, will from time to time, be assigned to represent his father in community consultations ( merero ya manyalo, diphitlho etc) and then give his father feedback.
Khama said he is currently his father’s eyes and ears.
“It is a role any father delegates to his children as he sees fit when the time comes for him to rest,” he said, adding that he was up to the task since he had been equipped throughout his life to take on this role. Khama said embracing sustainable development at the expense of traditional Setswana values is a missed opportunity, adding that Botswana has the opportunity to shape and maintain development according to traditions as the country heads into a new era.
“Being independent minded while working selflessly to contribute to the betterment of the community in general was paramount in bygone times. These days it feels like it has to be written into Missions and Visions for it to be a goal that people in collectives work towards,” he said.
He also said that Botswana had been built on values of unity, consultation and engagement. “I can turn to the example of the University of Botswana ( UB), which was famously built with many people giving what they could, motho le motho kgomo.
“There was no guarantee for everyone that contributed something that they or their children would attend UB. However, their collective efforts benefitted the Republic.
“UB is tangible proof that it is possible to keep key elements of our traditional values in modern times,” he said.
On the chieftainship in general, Khama
says it has always been an unwritten agreement for Bogosi and Politics to remain separate but supportive since both are geared towards improving the lives of people.
However, he noted that Bogosi has an eternal place in the fabric of Botswana’s political and socio- economic landscape.
“This in terms of continuing what the institution of Bogosi represented before we collectively embraced being a Republic, such as consultation and engagement, which are good ways to manage any misunderstandings and maintain goodwill and harmony, for the benefit of all citizens.” He wants to retain the essence and relevance of Bogosi, and remind young pople that it is an institution that is an integral part of Setswana culture and is not a prerogative for older generations only.
“Personally, I am inspired to look for ways of demystifying the institution of Bogosi, and open its wealth of knowledge up for younger generations.
“I believe that through inspiration, knowledge sharing, and leadership programmes, we can help people of any age tap into and unleash the best version of themselves.
“My elders in Serowe and Pilikwe are an important knowledge resource as their input from constant engagement tempers my understanding of traditional and general matters.
“This is one of the ways younger and older generations can work closely to develop new but relevant initiatives for the good of our communities.” Khama also said Botswana has always been a dynamic nation and the influence of Bogosi could never go underscored.
“I look at people who are currently in their 70’ s – those people have literally seen a Botswana where walking was the main form of travelling long distances right up to the aeroplanes of today.
“By that I am highlighting that in only one generation our living elders have been able to go further, see more and learn a great deal more than preceding generations. That is the very embodiment of dynamic.
“Some of those elders who have travelled far and wide are indeed part of Bogosi, or advisors of current Dikgosi. Their collective experience and insights are indeed part of what informs decisions taken by Dikgosi every day, and exactly how the institution remains relevant to policies and values today.
“For example, just recently, Kgosi Malope II wa Bangwaketse was part of our President’s official delegation to the Kingdom of Lesotho.”