Gov�t, Wayeyi seal January deadline deal
Tefo Pheage | Thursday January 12, 2017 16:31
Local Government and Rural Development minister, Slumber Tsogwane last year informed Wayeyi that their application for recognition had finally been approved and also asked the tribe to submit a name for the chief who will represent them in Ntlo Ya Dikgosi. Wayeyi subsequently nominated Kgosi Fish Malepe Ozoo.
Yesterday, Tsogwane told Mmegi that he had been in communication with the tribe.
“We have made a promise that all will be done in January and that promise still stands unless anything serious arises,” he said. Tsogwane said Cabinet would be fully resuming its duties on January 22, following which arrangements would be made to officially unveil the new chief before the tribe.
“Everything will be done around that time including the gazetting of the tribe’s name,” he said.
Ditando Xheba, Wayeyi Chieftainship Council chairperson said they believe the government will stand by its promise.
“We are hopeful and it is true that the Minister promised that the matter would be closed before end of January. We are still waiting,” he said.
The Wayeyi case reached its zenith in 2001 when the High Court ruled that the Chieftainship Act is discriminatory and that it should be amended. The High Court also ruled that Wayeyi should be recognised and have a chief at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi.
The court further ruled that all non-Tswana tribes should be recognised, a move that has compelled other minority tribes to organise themselves and seek the same. The Minister confirmed receiving a request from Bakgalagadi a while back, but added that he advised them to go and organise themselves first.