Tlokweng, Kgalagadi, retain tribal naming

| Monday March 4, 2013 00:00

 

Tlokweng lost its tribal identity when the constituency once called Kgatleng/Tlokweng, was renamed South East North Constituency, One of the few that also retains tribal identity is Kgalagadi North, and Kgalagadi South.

The report claims, however, that Kgalagadi is merely a desert. However it is also a fact that the Bakgalagadi ethnic group live in Kgalagadi.

The report says after a careful reflection the Commission feels that naming constituencies along tribal lines may promote tribalism and ethnicity and ultimately impede the national building process. 'Consequently the Commission has taken a deliberate decision to move away from constituency names with tribal connotations.

The report also says during the sitting of the Commission they experienced first hand tribalism. For instance  a task force of Bahurutshe followed the commission at Mmankgodi, Moshupa, Gabane, Kopong, Thamaga, Molepolole, urging the Commission to create a constituency exclusively for Bahurutshe. The task force proposed for a constituency that would group together Bahurutshe living in the Kweneng and Southern districts

The report says in Tonota North, some residents pushed for the renaming of the constituency to Bokalaka or Bulilima to reflect their ethnic composition. According to the report the proponents cited examples of similar naming in Tswapong, Kweneng, Kgatleng, Ngwaketse.  In Lerala, the Commission report says, residents proposed for a constituency that reflects their unique tribal and ethnic standings.