Land shortage is an artificial creation- MPs

One parliamentarian figuratively described the status quo as an offshoot of the transition of tribal land administration from the hands of dikgosi, into the air-conditioned offices within Land Board structures.

Pre- independence and shortly afterwards, until 1970, tribal land was administered by dikgosi and assisted by ward heads.  In 1968, the Tribal Land Act was enacted and came into effect in 1970 with the primary mandate of improving land administration, rationalise land allocation and to introduce leasehold to accommodate national economic and social goals and aspirations. It was then that the Land Boards were established and  tasked with the administration of tribal land. “It vested all land rights and title to land in tribal areas in the Land Boards,” reads the proposed Botswana Land Policy.