07 Apr 2025

Parliament has adopted a motion requesting government to conduct a comprehensive social justice audit. 

The motion, which garnered support from legislators recently, was presented by Bobirwa MP, Mr Taolo Lucas. He emphasised the need for all members of Parliament to commit to take action by the end of their term to bridge the gap between the affluent and the impoverished, as well as the developed and the neglected sectors of society.

“It is unfortunate for some individuals to believe that the disparities we see today are a divine decree that must persist. These socioeconomic differences are man-made, and it is indeed men who must work towards rectifying them,” said Mr Lucas

Mr Lucas indicated that many of the pressing challenges could be addressed through the National Development Plan 12. He called for projects aimed specifically at resolving disparities in the distribution of essential infrastructure, including hospitals, secondary and tertiary schools as well as paved roads. He also highlighted the potential for constitutional review to mitigate social differences among various tribes in the nation.

He added that the motion  aimed to correct the injustices perpetuated by previous administrations.

Maun West MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama, pointed out that the societal differences were deeply institutionalised in Botswana’s legislative framework. He noted that policies like assimilation have exacerbated inequality, particularly in education, where regions such as Kweneng, Kgalagadi, and Ngami have shown alarming levels of poverty and underdeveloped educational resources.

He further asserted that a social justice audit would generate a critical report with recommendations to guide government actions moving forward. He underscored the importance of addressing issues such as child labour, where children often find themselves forced into roles as herd boys and farm labourers, situations worsened by the prevailing disparities in resource allocation. ENDS