Kgosi Gaborone presses govt to release social values report

KEOBONYE MAJATSIE
Correspondent | Wednesday April 3, 2013 00:00

Gaborone, who chaired the committee that was commissioned by President Ian Khama in 2008, was commenting on reports that since the report was completed and submitted to the Ministry for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, members of the public have not seen it.

The Batlokwa leader also said he was inundated with queries as to where the report could be found and why it has not been released to the public through the media.

'Some people say since the report was launched a few years ago they have not seen it. I think there is need to make it public so that the majority and other stakeholders can have access to it,' he said.

Reports indicate that most of the recommendations are gathering dust and people are accusing government of dragging its feet on issues that should be treated as being of paramount importance. 

When approached for comment, the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mokgweetsi Masisi defended government, saying recommendations of the committee are being implemented incrementally.

'You must understand that implementing recommendations of such a report is not an event but a process.  As we speak we are implementing some of the recommendations.

'For instance, we have come up with some new initiatives aimed at curbing alcohol abuse. Let me also hasten to state that some government departments and ministries are tasked with the responsibility of implementing the recommendations of the report, we are doing so in phases,' said Masisi.

According to Masisi, some societal problems related to domestic violence were captured in the report and recommendations are being taken serious by the government, citing the reduction of qualifying age for one to acquire land from 21 to 18.

'Young people will no longer have to stay in the family homes for too long; if they want to move out of the family home, they can apply for allocation of plots as long as they are 18 and above,' said the minister.

 Some of the recommendations that need urgent intervention by government and other stakeholders include among others marriage break-ups.

 The committee recommended leaders and civic organisations to take a lead in educating Batswana on the key religious and cultural values that respect the family, sanctity of marriage and God's message.

Another issue that the Committee found to be disturbing was cohabitation, which it says has increased and undermines the institution of marriage.

The Committee recommended that each Morafe should determine its lobola price according to their cultural practices and that Dikgosi should monitor and encourage Merafe to allow marriage to proceed where the prospective son-in-law cannot afford to pay bride price.

Dikgosi want to be given more powers to maintain law and order in their respective communities and also want to be ex-officio members of the land boards just as it is with district councils.

The report also recommends that registration of the religious bodies be removed from Societies Act through promulgation of new Religious Organisations.

'Most importantly, the country's leadership at all levels needs to rise to the expectations of the people. It is this kind of leadership that will support moral-regeneration which is so much desired, commitment and determination as well as assumption of full responsibility for building a morally tolerant nation in line with the principles of democracy and accountability,' states the report.

It also suggested that government should enact a law providing that after a certain period (4-24 months) a couple living together should be recognised as married and issued with a marriage certificate.

As regards commercial sex, the report states that a lot of research has been done, but implementation of the recommendations has not been done.

On the so-called 'passion killings', the committee recommended that   counseling services centers, with easy accessibility, be established by all stakeholders, including religious organisations. (SPA)