Kgosi Gaborone leads Ntlo ya Dikgosi for sixth time
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday January 20, 2015 16:22
The chief Batlokwa was first elected to the position in 2009, taking over from the late Kgosi Seepapitso IV of Bangwaketse.Kgosi Lotlamoreng 11 was also re-elected the deputy, the post he also held since 2009, but lost to Kgosi Tshipe in 2013.
While Gaborone was unopposed, Lotlamoreng had to once again face it off with Tshipe, and another contender, Kgosi Machilidza.
Accepting the re-election, Gaborone said it shows that the members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi have trust on them to deliver to their expectation.
“As the president of the country, Ian Khama has highlighted in his State of National Address that government recognises the important role of bogosi in nation building. We are glad the government recognises our importance,” Gaborone said.
The president had also stated, “as an institution bogosi provides a solid foundation for community mobilisation, development and national unity. In this regard, Government is committed to strengthening the institution, ensuring its continued role and relevance”.
Gaborone said the President’s words were a clear indication that the government is fully committed to cooperate with bogosi. He said their spirit, as the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, has been to bring Botswana first, therefore it was important that all stakeholders work together for the development of the country. He urged members to bring up relevant issues during debates, that help in building the nation, in the second House of legislation. “For us to preserve the dignity of this House, we need to raise issues of nation concern like education, behaviour of youth, drugs and others. It is important that we discuss them seriously and improve the standard of our debate,” he said.
Gaborone also assured members that if the budget allowed, they would train some of the chiefs.
He said their relationship with South African chiefs has been beneficial since challenges faced by bogosi are the same.
“I believe our relationship will grow from strength to strength. Batswana and South Africans share a lot in common and therefore it is important to preserve our cultural values.”