Should Botswana have referendum on bogadi?

Contributing to the debate on the Domestic Violence Bill in Parliament (Daily News, December 12), in what amounted to a call to innovation, Kedikilwe suggested that bogadi, euphemistically referred to as 'bride price', should be abolished on the grounds that it creates the impression in the mind of the male partner that he has "acquired a sexual asset that he can use as he pleases".

The veteran MP explained that abolition of bride price could neutralise such perceptions. Although he did not use the term, Kedikilwe was suggesting that there must be some kind of quid pro quo, when he said "the partners could exchange gifts" at marriage, meaning that there must be some shared responsibility. That way, no party would feel short-changed.