17/06/2026
NTLO YA DIKGOSI UPDATE | REPRESENTING BATLOKWA, ADVANCING TLOKWENG
Dumelang Batlokwa Betsho,
I would like to take this opportunity to update Morafe wa Batlokwa on my participation at the 6th Meeting of the 5th Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, which commenced on 15 June 2026 and will conclude on 26 June 2026.
As many of you know, Ntlo Ya Dikgosi is a constitutional institution established to serve as an advisory body to Parliament. It brings together Dikgosi and traditional leaders from every corner of Botswana to deliberate on Bills, Motions, national policies and matters affecting the welfare and development of Batswana.
However, my responsibility at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi extends beyond simply attending meetings and debates.
As Kgosikgolo wa Batlokwa, I carry with me the aspirations, concerns and development priorities of the people of Tlokweng. Every engagement I make, every contribution I raise and every question I submit is guided by one fundamental principle: How does this benefit Tlokweng and improve the lives of our people?
Our community continues to face pressing challenges including:
• Youth unemployment
• Drug and substance abuse
• Rising crime levels
• Economic hardships affecting households and businesses
• The need to attract investment and create opportunities for our people
These are matters that remain at the forefront of my engagements and discussions.
On the opening day of the session, we were honoured by a visit from Her Excellency the First Lady, Mme Kaone Boko, who presented the MPEPU Programme to Borara jwa Ntlo Ya Dikgosi.
During the deliberations, I emphasized the importance of ensuring that the programme works closely with Bahumagadi Ba Dikgosi, whose contribution to community development, family welfare, social cohesion and nation-building is both significant and indispensable. The work of Bogosi and that of Bahumagadi has always complemented each other, and I believe their involvement will strengthen the impact of this important initiative.
In carrying out my oversight and advisory role, I also submitted questions to Government Ministers on matters that directly affect communities such as ours.
One of the questions seeks clarity on the withdrawal of community development officers who were previously assigned to Dikgotla and whether there are plans to reinstate such officers to support community development initiatives and strengthen local economies.
The second question addresses the growing concern around the loss of fertile agricultural land to non-agricultural developments such as the use of agricultural land for residential and commercial purposes. The question seeks assurance from Government on measures being taken to protect productive agricultural land and safeguard Botswana's long-term food security.
These are not merely national concerns; they are issues that directly affect the future development, sustainability and prosperity of communities such as Tlokweng.
DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR TLOKWENG
At the same time, I am pleased to inform Morafe that we have commenced a very important process that will shape the future direction of our community.
The Batlokwa Royal Council is currently developing a comprehensive Strategic Plan that will serve as a roadmap towards realizing our vision of transforming Tlokweng into a Smart Model Village. A community that balances cultural heritage with innovation, economic empowerment, modern governance and sustainable development.
The strategy will provide a unified framework for the operations of the Batlokwa Royal Council and our established institutions (Royal Batlokwa Development Trust and Royal Batlokwa Incorporated), while creating clear priorities around governance, investment attraction, youth empowerment, employment creation, tourism development, cultural preservation and community participation.
A key component of this initiative will be the establishment of Batlokwa Secretariat, which will serve as the operational arm responsible for coordinating implementation, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation, and providing administrative support to our institutions.
Over the coming weeks, we will engage various stakeholders across different sectors of our community through consultations and strategic planning workshops. These engagements will bring together local leadership, businesses, youth, professionals, community organisations and other key stakeholders to collectively shape the future of Tlokweng.
Thereafter, the proposed strategy will be presented to Morafe wa Batlokwa for broader consultation, endorsement and eventual implementation.
This process belongs to all of us.
I therefore encourage every Motlokwa and resident of Tlokweng to begin engaging with your ward representatives and sharing ideas on the kind of community you wish to see in the years ahead.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
While I am attending Ntlo Ya Dikgosi over these two weeks and may be physically away from the village for extended periods, please be assured that the work of advancing the interests of Batlokwa continues.
I invite members of the community to use this Facebook platform and our Messenger inbox to submit concerns, ideas, suggestions and development priorities that you believe require attention. These contributions will assist us in ensuring that the voice of the community remains central to our engagements and planning processes.
Together, let us continue building a Tlokweng that honours its heritage, creates opportunities for its people and inspires future generations.