DIKGOSI UPSKILLED
Traditional leaders drilled on leadership skills and legal procedures
About 100 dikgosi and dikgosana (traditional leaders) will undergo a rigorous training offered by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in partnership with Botswana Public Service College over the next three months.
The specialised training programme is carried out in efforts to help dikgosi improve their leadership skills and understanding of key procedures that they deal with daily. The programme will cover various areas of interest such as criminal and civil case procedures, court procedures, criminal and civil procedures and customary court procedures, as well conflict resolution matters, in accordance with the law.
Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Mabuse Pule told Parliament that following on the success of the previous training programme, they realised that the programme is bearing the intended fruits. “In February, 50 dikgosi across all the districts in Botswana were trained through the programme and the feedback we received was positive and encouraging. This is why we have made plans to train the rest of the
dikgosi in batches before the end of the financial year in 2023.” He explained that while dikgosi perform limited government functions, the course was developed following observations that sometimes dikgosi lack the required acumen and knowledge to assist community members because some of them do not understand the procedures and processes of customary and modern law. He also noted that they also wanted them to upskill to ensure that their understanding of issues is up to date with current laws and policies that affect them and their communities on a day-to-day basis, such as those related to land, for example.
“Refresher courses are a key part of the leadership mandate and many dikgosi benefit from these programmes.”
Pule also noted that the leadership programme was aimed at improving dikgosi’s soft skills such as communication skills, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence, as they deal with people from all walks of life on a daily basis, and are at the forefront of leading their tribal communities, and ensuring that peace and harmony ensue. While the Ntlo ya Dikgosi has no legislative nor veto power as an advisory body to Parliament, Pule has reiterated that Government appreciates the key influence, and role that dikgosi play in their communities. He said it is therefore important to ensure that they are upskilled, because traditional leaders control vital resources such as land and play an important role to any service delivery and development strategies to be implemented in rural areas.