11 Jul 2018

Kgosi Puso of Batlokwa says cultural values depict a person’s identity and way of life. 

Addressing Rainbow High School Student Representative Council (SRC) members in Tlokweng last Friday, Kgosi Puso said that it was vital for a culturally raised person to be able to describe their origins using their own language. 

He said cultural values that learners were taught, such as proper dressing and respect, were part of the culture of Batswana, noting that culture taught self-respect and discipline. 

Kgosi Puso therefore commended the SRC members for their noble gesture of organising the Elders’ Day and inviting elders to share snacks with them as it was a sign of respect and indicates proper cultural upbringing. 

He said the event would afford the students the opportunity to learn about the importance of leadership, and that learners should be groomed on issues of leadership, while they are still young.

He noted that leadership starts at grass-roots level, such as being elected into the SRC or being a class monitor. 

“Growing up, you will understand the significance of the roles you were given while still young. A leader’s role is to guide and advise others, therefore it is important to be a shining example as a leader,” he said. 

Kgosi Puso said young people should be taught that they could take up leadership roles in society, and that it was commendable when young people came up with initiatives such as Elders’ Day. 

For his part, the school SRC president, Malvin Mhutshiwa said his team organised the Elders’ Day to show Batlokwa elders that they respected and admired their leadership. 

He said their visit to Batlokwa kgotla was not only about sharing a snack with the elders, but learning about their culture and the origins of the tribe. 

Kgosi Puso took the Rainbow High School SRC members on a tour of the Batlokwa kgotla and the royal kgotla kraal, where his great grandfather’s grave is. 

He revealed that in the olden days, dikgosi were buried in royal kraals as a symbol of respect. 

Meanwhile, one of the elders, Mr Matshane Katse applauded the school for finding time to interact with them while learning about Batlokwa culture. He encouraged the learners to visit other tribes in Botswana to learn about their cultural values as well. ENDS