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Influence of political history
As indicated in the chapter 2, a system of local government was an intrinsic component of the precolonial system of government. It formed the basic building block of the whole system of government. The ward was the smallest organizational political unit upon which a district organization was built which in turn provided the basis on which the national political organization was built. This composition could not be ignored after independence. The electorated Batswana are used to participation in the decision making process at a local level. Any political system that undermined this tradition was therefore, likely to invoke resistance from the general public. Hence the retention of the kgotla as the hub centre and legislative organ of the tribal administration.
The ward system is an organizational and political unit on which the kgotla and the whole tribal administration have been based and retained. These two precolonial institutions – the kgotla and the ward still playa pivotal role in village politics. The introduction of a system of local government in postcolonial Botswana was partly a recognition of this fact. Somolekae (1989:75) argues further than this in her comment regarding the relationship between the traditional and modern systems of government in postcolonial Botswana when she observes:
« What is perhaps true and worth taking note of is the fact that liberal democracy and traditional Tswana democracy are two very different systems of government. In spite of thi:; ~a~t, it appears that the liberal democratic system (which is jllst over twenty years old) is being built on and continue » to find its support and continuity in the foundations of the traditionF.l1 political system. » The new system of local government is not fully founded on the old traditional
political institutions, but takes cognizance of its existence. The new local government system it seems, intended to undermine the traditional political system.
Hence it has taken most of the powers and authority which were previously exercised by the traditional institutions as will be demonstrated when the powers and authority of councils are discussed in chapter six.
Recognition in Local Differences
Recognition of local differences is another factor which seem to have played a crucial role in influencing postcolonial Botswana to adopt a system of local government. The differences referred to here concern differences in subcultural norms, ethics usages and history resulting from Botswana’s multi ethnic diversity.
There seem to have been a recognition that such subcultural differences could only be adequately dealt with by a local authority. One of the main roles of the tribal administration, through the kgotla, as a unit of the local government system is the protection and development of local customs, ethnicity and usages as building blocks for a new independent nation (Kgosi, see Papitsolv 1994). As Kiyaga-Mulindwa (1994:381) puts it although elliptically:
« The architects of Botswana’s independence were also quite aware of the cultural and racial differences of the country’s population. In his address to the African Advisory Council in 1958, Tshekedi Khama pondered the kind of nation i;~d3pe~C:ent 20tsVJana wou!d be, given t:,8 strong separat-, :; »ibal element … The 1965 Botswana Democratic Partv (BDP) election manifesto brings out the dilemma between ethnicity and other sectional differences, on the on6 hand and national unity on the other. The BDP stood for iaws tnzt do not recognize preferential consideration of political, economic or social nature for any tribal or racial group in Bechuanaland. But, on the other hand, the BDP opposed any laws which would destroy any communal associations or bands based on such common interest as language or culture where those associations or bands do not undermine the unity and progress of state ».
The system of local government was seen as a solution to the seeming insolvable contradictions. It must be mentioned that tribalism and ethnicity have played a minor role in the struggle of sections within the ruling petty bourgeoisie. In Botswana no section of the petty bourgeoisie class has so far been able to use tribalism to mobilize the people in order to advance its interest. No political party in Botswana can therefore be termed a tribal party because they have members from the different ethnic groups.
CHAPTER TWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS AN EXPRESSION OF DECENTRALIZATION
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DEFINITION OF DECENTRALIZATION
3. RATIONALE BEHIND DECENTRALIZATION
4. CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
5. SUMMARY
CHAPTER THREE ANALYSIS OF THE SYSTEM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PRECOLONIAL BOTSWANA
1. INTRODUCTION
2. PRECOLONIAL DEMOCRACY
3. NATURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE COLONIAL
4. SUMMARY
CHAPTER FOUR THE EMERGENCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
2. SUMMARY
CHAPTER FIVE STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL
1. INTRODUCTION
2. STATUS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
3. SUMMARY
CHAPTER SIX RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS OF COUNCILS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MANDATORY FUNCTIONS
3. PERMISSIVE FUNCTIONS
4. COMMITTEES AS MEDIUM THROUGH WHICH COUNCILS OPERATE
5. SUMMARY
CHAPTER SEVEN COUNCIL POLITICS AND ELECTIONS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE NATURE OF COUNCIL POLITICS IN BOTSWANA
3. THE NATURE OF COUNCIL ELECTION PROCESS
4. SUMMARY
CHAPTER EIGHT THE NATURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
3. COUNCIL PERSONNEL
4. SUMMARY
CHAPTER NINE THE CONTROL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IN BOTSWANA
1 INTRODUCTION
2 SUMMARY
CHAPTER TEN
1. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
2. RECOMMENDATION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
