Dikgosi give new constituencies Bill thumbs up
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday August 16, 2022 06:00
It, however, would seem the number four is not enough as each Kgosi believed their region deserves more legislators either because of the vast area or its population.
Some of the members of the House also called on Batswana to actively increase the national population.
The urgent meeting solely considered the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (Bill No. 6 of 2022) in line with Section 88 (2) of the Constitution,” reads a press release from the National Assembly.
The object of Bill No.6 of 2022 is to amend the Constitution to increase the number of elected members from 57 to 61. Clause 2 of the Bill proposes that Section 58 (2) (a) of the Constitution be amended to effect the change. State President Minister Kabo Morwaeng presented the Bill to Ntlo Ya Dikgosi.
Kgosi Jame Khumanego of Ngwaketse West supported the motion stating that Batswana who are far from developments could benefit. “They will benefit greatly because currently there is a challenge of vast constituencies with bad roads. Communication is also bad and this makes it difficult for the MP to effectively represent the constituents,” he said.
He suggested that two be reserved for those in vast constituencies and the other two for wide constituencies.
Specially elected Kgosi Oateng Setlhodi from Chanoga said it was a great move stating that he hopes more constituencies would be created going forward. “Thank you to the minister for consulting magosi as per the Constitution and dictates of democracy. We welcome the motion as our legislators cannot be effective enough due to bad roads and far distances.
This leads to people thinking their leaders are lazy,” he said.
Kgosi Rebagamang Rancholo of Tutume Region thanked the minister for bringing the motion before them. He too called on Batswana to increase their population. “Even though we are happy about the increase [of MPs], we have to know that it goes with the increase in our population. We cannot be happy about the increase in constituencies while our numbers remain stagnant. I wonder what we can do to explain to Batswana that increasing our population means development,” he said. Rancholo also called on government to consider helping those with many children as they contribute to crucial population growth.
Kgosi Godfrey Serapo thanked the government for consulting with them. “MPs should be increased and we should look at the area size and not just the population. An example is where I come from in Boteti where we end up blaming MPs for not being efficient," he said. He also bemoaned that Batswana are refusing to have more children.
Kgosi Motswagole of Kweneng also supported the Bill. “It is important for us to support the motion. Services should reach people. In Molepolole we have a problem of Gaborone expanding there and the areas are densely populated. I am worried that if I do not get an extra constituency, what will happen? The next census is in 10 years but Molepolole is populated. I plead that you look our way,” he said.
Morwaeng thanked Dikgosi for supporting the motion and stated that would take their suggestions forward. He told them that as it is, the delimitation committee would make the final decision on where the new constituencies would be. He also promised them that they would continue consulting them.