Resource 2: ‘Refrain from tribalism’

‘Refrain from tribalism’

By Onalenna Mokhawa

Botswana Daily News, 9 August 2006, No. 148

MAUN – Nokaneng residents in the Ngami constituency have been urged to shun tribalism.

MP for the area, Jacob Nkate, said during a kgotla meeting on Friday that tribalism was rife at Gumare, Tubu and Nokaneng villages and warned residents to be very careful as it might end up dividing them.

He said the government encourages all tribes to celebrate their culture but warned that culture mixed with politics has the potential to cause conflict, even war.

Nkate said he was willing to attend an event of Bayei cultural group, if invited. Regarding elections of a Nokaneng chief’s representative, he advised residents to come together and agree on a candidate. About three months ago, an election was held but the name has been rejected. The MP said if the voting was open and fair the candidate would be acceptable.

Meanwhile, residents called for a senior secondary school at Nokaneng to cater for the Ngami constituency and complained about water shortage, which was making their lives very difficult.