Sello Motseta
2nd March 2020
Botswana’s most decorated women leaders converged at Mokolodi WorldView Conference Centre to engage in conversations about the type of Botswana they would like to see in an effort to document the contributions of women to nation building in the run up to World Women’s Day.
“Women have left an indelible footprint in Botswana. There is a need for continuity for survival as a nation. It is the priceless knowledge that lives with our people,” said Pelonomi Venson, Botswana’s former Foreign Minister and long serving cabinet Minister.
She said, “We need to seek people who know our history and culture. Things that can help save us.”
Any law reform project in Botswana must take account of the fact that Botswana women had a huge role to play in shaping its dual legal system (the common law exists side by side with customary law).
In practice, the majority of Batswana are subject to customary law. Customary law courts administer about 80% of cases in the country excluding those resolved by mechanisms not formally recognised under the Customary Courts Act and historically was patriarchal in nature.
While customary law is said to reflect customs, culture and the way of life of particular tribes, it is also true that it may contain and or tolerate practices, which are antithetical to human rights including the rights of PLWHA. These include such practices as domination of women by men, inheritance principles that favour male children etc.
Margaret Nnananyana Nasha (born 6 August 1947) was the first woman to hold the critical post of Speaker of the National Assembly from 2009 to 2014.
Nasha worked as a journalist and civil servant before entering politics, and also served a term as Botswana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Nasha said, “I am elated to be in the group. People who have worked hard and sweated to lay the foundations for this country. We can still think straight.”
Bible says white hair shows something stressing wisdom and intelligence. “You learn and gather it as you go along. We are being wasted,”said Nasha.
Female under-representation in politics continues to be a problem in Botswana, where only three women won seats in the 57-member National Assembly during the 2019 general elections.
After the 2014 general election, Botswana only had four elected female Members of Parliament in the National Assembly. The number dwindled to three after the October 23 2019 national poll. Yet women have had a critical role in educating and caring for the leaders of modern Botswana.
Mme Mmaserame Seretse Sibiya, said “I have nursed former President Quett Masire. He was a teacher at Seepapitso and taught many students who graduated as nurses.”
Seretse who started the Gaborone theatre continues to play her role as a nurse for her niece who is autistic.
“My brother and sister in law have passed away,” said Seretse.
The cook in the house she is still active and health conscious.
The polishing for hope initiative held First ever ‘Conversations with the Matriarchs.’
