Empower Dikgosi to impact change
Mmegi Editor | Friday June 26, 2015 15:01
Before him, it was Kgosi Tawana Moremi who left the House to join the ruling party Botswana Democratic Party before joining rival Botswana Movement for Democracy.
A few years earlier, Kgosi Kgafela II refused to go to Ntlo ya Dikgosi on grounds that it would be a waste of his time since the House did not have any powers to legislate, or even hold the government accountable.
History also shows that when founding President Sir Seretse Khama left his royal house duties to a regent, Kgosi Bathoen of Bangwaketse also went into active politics. He was not only to serve in Parliament, but also became president of the Botswana National Front (BNF), and recruited among others, Kgosi Diratsame Mosielele of Thamaga to join him in the opposition ranks. Still in the BNF ranks today is a royal son John Toto who served as MP for Kgalagadi North for 10 years until last year. President Ian Khama is of course the most notable Kgosi in the politics of Botswana.
Evidence is there even for a blind man to see that Bogosi has been disadvantaged by politicians. Let’s pause for a minute: The current crop of ministers, some of whom are very young, have very little experience on governance issues, particularly about the lives of ordinary Batswana in rural areas, yet, they have suddenly become experts because of their political advancements. They found some of our Dikgosi having been dealing with these issues for many years. It is common sense that the two institutions of Parliament and Bogosi need each other as partners.
In many instances, parliamentarians, and ultimately ministers at government level, need the advise of Dikgosi. Time has long gone for politicians to be experts in everything just because they had the loud mouth and financial resources to convince or ‘purchase’ voters. We cannot deny that some of the laws and policies that were made by politicians have had a direct and negative impact on the lives of Batswana.
What we ought to do as a nation is for legislators to amend laws, to give powers to Ntlo ya Dikgosi. Such should include powers to amend bills, policies, and to surcharge a public officer or minister who presents false information before the House.
Ntlo ya Dikgosi should have powers to reject a bill, or call for an amendment of an existing law. They should also be empowered to make laws, of course, that should be scrutinised by Parliament to be in compliance with the Constitution and modern times. Ntlo ya Dikgosi has the potential to be a good law-making body because the members are apolitical and not afraid of being dismissed from any political party for differing with its leadership. The time is now for us to correct the mistakes of our past leaders and shape our destiny.
Today’s thought
“We have to be bold in our national ambitions. First, we must win the fight against poverty within the next decade. Second, we must improve moral standards in government and society to provide a strong foundation for good governance. Third, we must change the character of our politics to promote fertile ground for reforms.”
- Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo