Bayei, Batawana tension draws to a close
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The jabs between Bayeyi and Batawana tribal leadership over culture and independence from the other will cease for now as the coronation of the Wayeyi paramount chief is billed for the beginning of next month.
Following Government decision to recognize the Wayeyi tribe last year, their attempts to install their chief were blocked more than once. In the first instance they were accused of not following the laid down procedure of consulting morafe. And in the second “act of sabotage”, according to Wayeyi Chieftainship Council Chairperson, Gceba Ditando Batawana tribal leadership did not want Bayeyi to use the main kgotla (Gumare) for the coronation hence everything was stalled as they had to write to the Government on the matter.
Initially Chief Ozoo was to be ordained the Bayeyi Chief but the alleged dally-dallying and unwillingness to support the Wayeyi saw Ozoo passing on earlier this year before he could lead the tribe. On December 1st Wayeyi will coronate Jacob Pitoro Seedisa as their paramount chief and this time around the leadership of the tribe is determined to avoid any glitches to the historic ceremony. The struggle of Wayeyi to be a recognized tribe dates back to as far as 1926. The chairman, Ditando said they are happy that their journey has always been peaceful, based on mutual trust and understanding.
According to Ditando the main reason why the want to have a recognized chief and tribe is to enjoy linguistic and cultural rights not enjoyed by the non-recognized tribes. “Among these are access to the institution of Bogosi, permanent membership to Ntlo ya Dikgosi as our right, group rights to land, territorial and ethnic identity, a celebration of one’s culture in the public domain and the use of one’s language in education and the media.”
The Minister of Local government and Rural Development, Slumber Tsogwane and some Batawana tribal leaders are expected to grace the event. However, at the coronation ceremony Bayeyi will be waiting for Tsogwane to reveal what is in store for them. Among other things they demand is territorial integrity and influence over a land board in their jurisdiction.
“That’s definitely what we want, territory gives a chief an integrity and to know where his powers start and end. So the Minister reveal the boundary between us and Batawana. If he doesn’t, we will follow the correct procedures because it is enshrined in the constitution that a Kgosi should have territorial integrity,” said Ditando.
In the past the Minister could not come out clear as to whether they will give Bayeyi territorial authority since they are ‘occupying Batawana land, and furthermore they were not assured to have a land authority as land boards are responsible for land allocation not diKgosi’.
Ditando has not shied away from mentioning the land issue which largely forms part of the dispute in the Ngamiland region. He says they are aware of the land questions, and their argument has always been that the government should be left to deal with the issue hence they will be waiting for the Minister to share with them the boundaries. Bayeyi, Bambukushu and Basarwa all believe there should be boundaries to separate them from Batawana.
“Other issues of land and language are separate matters which are not catered for. If they are to stand, they should be negotiated with other ministries. The tribe should discuss the issues,” Tsogwane said in earlier meetings with the tribe. In Botswana, land, territory and identity form the core of recognition and non-recognition of tribes in Botswana. The Tribal Territories Act of 1933 created boundaries called tribal territories which are currently referred to as districts. The territories were named after the recognized Tswana tribes. It is said that the government has reached an agreement with the Wayeyi tribe over the land issue, though not loudly said.
There are about 37 other tribes which exist in Botswana, though the state does not recognize them. The total non-Tswana population is generally estimated at about 60 per cent. Experts say lack of recognition has also led to the inadequate provision of social services, such as education, in rural and minority dominated areas, 36 resulting in disproportionately high levels of poverty. In 1885, the then-Bechuanaland became a British protectorate and in 1933, the British authorities recognized eight tribes in the Chieftainship Act as follows: the Barolong, Bakwena, Bangwaketse, Balete, Bakgatla, Batlokwa, Bangwato and Batawana.
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Malawi appeals for help over Cyclone Freddy at PAP
As of yesterday evening, the death toll from the Cyclone in Malawi had risen from the initially reported 190 to 225 in a short period of time, over 20 000 people have been displaced, and the worst of fears are yet to come as the fatalities continue to mount. This was reported by a Malawi Member of Parliament attending the Pan African Parliament session in Midrand, South Africa, Hon Steven Mikiya.
Mikiya was giving a statement on behalf of Malawi as the ongoing Pan African Parliament in South Africa.
Mikiya said the Cyclone has wreaked the most havoc in our country’s Southern Region. “The Southern Region, has been hardest hit with widespread heavy rains and strong winds. This caused a rapid rise in water levels and subsequent flooding. Meanwhile, power supply has been disrupted, roads blocked off and rendered impassable and mudslides have also been widely reported,” he said.
He made a special appeal to the PAP: “Where I come from, there is a parable which I would like to share with you which says, “mzako weniweni umamudziwa panthawi ya mavuto.” Simply put, a friend in need is a friend indeed or put loosely, a person who helps at a difficult time is a friend you can rely on.”
Mikiya continued: “Yes! Misfortune has knocked on our door and left in its wake a trail of death and destruction that may take years to fully recover from. However, amidst these difficulties, I have every reason to believe that sometimes when you are in a dark place and think you have been buried, you have actually been planted. My belief, Mr. President, arises out of my faith in this gathering and out of the conviction that it is not coincidental that Cyclone Freddy hit Malawi and Mozambique while the delegations of both countries are here.”
According to Mikiya, the level of destruction, the loss of life, property and the decimation of the entire fabric of established communities has been unprecedented. He noted that all this, is coming at a time when Malawi was starting to show signs of recovery from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that also came hard on the heels of Cyclone Ana and Cyclone Gombe that left a similar trail of devastation and destruction in Malawi and neighbouring countries.
As of Sunday, this week, from the 12th of March, Malawi and Mozambique have been facing the devastating effects of Cyclone Freddy that made a landfall over Mozambique on Saturday the 11th and reached Malawi by Sunday the 12th of March.
The Malawi legislator said he has absolute faith in the Pan African Parliament, which he described as “a league of nations brought together by a shared ancestry, history, identity as well as our beloved continent which we inhabit”.
Meanwhile, Malawi President, Lazarus Chakwera, has declared a State of Disaster in the affected areas effectively appealing for local and international support for the affected families.
Mikiya appealed to the Pan African Parliament drawing “positive” inspiration from Europe which rallied around Turkey after the destructive earthquakes to bring the much-needed relief and humanitarian aid to the people of Turkey.
He said Africa should demonstrate to the world that the African Union and its Organs are not mere talk shows, but effective institutions which stand up when it matters most.
“Alone, it may take us a lifetime to fully recover, but together, in the Pan-Africanist spirit of Ubuntu, our lives and livelihoods will return to a semblance of normality in record time. This is the time to live by our operative mantra, “One Africa, One Voice.” Mikiya concluded.