Enough is enough – Kgosi Gaborone
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday April 1, 2026 06:00
Speaker after speaker, including traditional leaders, voiced deep concern that such a move would erode their cultural identity, heritage, and the authority of bogosi.
Leading the debate, Kgosi Puso Gaborone, who is also the chief of Batlokwa, delivered a passionate address, emphasising that Tlokweng is not just any settlement but privately owned land with deep historical significance. He expressed shock that such a proposal could even be considered without proper consultation with the rightful landowners.
“Tlokweng is a private land,” Kgosi Gaborone said. “It is shocking that suggestions of this magnitude are made without engaging us first. I want to remind Batlokwa that we bought this land. It is freehold land. We were not given it for free. We have a title deed.”
He said enough is enough, as some leaders want to take advantage of the humbleness of Batlokwa, stating that they had sacrificed more for the country.
Furthermore, he urged unity amongst Batlokwa, warning that their already limited land was at risk of being taken away under the guise of development.
According to him, the proposal represents more than administrative change; it threatens the very existence of their identity as a people.
In addition, Kgosi Gaborone questioned the government’s rationale, pointing out that the Batlokwa had already ceded land for the development of Gaborone. He argued that it was unfair for authorities to now target Tlokweng, which remains their only village.
“It is surprising that after giving out Gaborone, the government now wants to convert Tlokweng into a town, yet it is small and the only place we call home,” he said. “My wish is for Tlokweng to be developed into a smart model village, not a town. Modernisation should not erode culture,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, community member Phillip Matsetse stressed that the government must respect the tribe’s position and take time to understand the village’s history before making decisions. He made it clear that residents had outright rejected the proposal.
“Government must know that this proposal is not accepted,” Matsetse said. “They must also educate themselves about our history. Our case is similar to Bamalete's. We bought this land and even had to rent it for years.”
Moreover, he referenced past land allocation policies during former president Ian Khama’s tenure, noting that quota systems were influenced by this historical context. For him, this further reinforces the need for the government to tread carefully on matters concerning Tlokweng.
Adding to the chorus of resistance, Jeffrey Matlapeng suggested that if the government needs land for expansion, it should instead negotiate to purchase farms surrounding Tlokweng rather than interfere with the village.
However, Matlapeng warned that the current proposal risks reopening old wounds. He alluded to historical tensions in which the Batlokwa felt threatened by attempts by other groups to absorb or marginalise them.
“This issue brings back painful memories of how one tribe once tried to swallow us so that we cease to exist,” he said, drawing murmurs of agreement from the gathering.
Notably, when the matter was put to a vote, there was an overwhelming consensus. Not a single person supported the idea of converting Tlokweng into a town, underscoring the depth of opposition within the community.
Despite the strong resistance, the process is far from over. Tlokweng Development Officer Gorata Sefawe clarified that the issue will now be escalated to the Tlokweng District Council for further deliberations. Thereafter, Sefawe said a formal report will be compiled and submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs.