26 May 2014

The village of Pandamatenga lies 100km from Kasane in the Chobe District.

Pandamatenga is the hub of crop production where large scale commercial farmers are ploughing the land in a bid to produce food for Batswana. It is also the home of Kgosi Rebecca Banika, the country’s first female member of the House of Chiefs.

With a population of 2 600, Pandamatenga is a melting pot of ethnic groups including Basarwa, Bananjwa, Ndebele, Balozi and Afrikaaners. Kgosi Banika said she never intended to become a chief when she grew up.

While she had always known that she was a member of the royal family, the thought of ever assuming the throne seemed far-fetched, considering that she had two elder siblings who were in line to take over as village chief.

“But when my grandfather was laid to rest my elder sisters were not interested in inheriting the throne. I was then asked to take over as chief,” she said.

Soon after, Kgosi Banika made history by becoming the first female member of the House of Chiefs. At the time, the House of Chiefs was considered a domain preserved for men only.

However, for Kgosi Banika, the House of Chiefs has been a tremendous experience. There was never a time when she felt intimidated because she was the only woman among men.

“The men were all very attentive. I never shied away from expressing my opinion in the presence of men. If anything I think being the only woman in a house full of men worked to my advantage because more attention was given to everything I said and did,” she said.

During her five years at the House of Chiefs, Kgosi Banika said she enjoyed massive support from Batswana and received numerous invites to officiate at events. She said she has been invited to almost all districts in Botswana and received various gifts, congratulations and words of encouragement from many people.

However, Kgosi Banika admits that leading people is a very difficult task that calls for one to have inner strength and patience. Such qualities came easily to her because of the influence of her mother in her life.

Kgosi Banika explained that though her mother was blind, her strength and perseverance inspired all of her children to strive for more in life.

“Despite her disability my mother was our pillar of strength. She had all the qualities of a good mother and she carried out her duties as a mother and a wife without fail.  I will always admire he strength and will power,” she said.

Narrating her experiences in the customary court, Kgosi Banika said she once had to sentence a woman who was a bread winner and care taker for her family to jail, which left her feeling very sad.

That was when she decided that it would be best if government allowed corporal punishment for women as an alternative for jail time.  “We can’t put women in jail because their families, especially children, end up suffering.

By allowing women to be caned on the buttocks we would save them from going to jail and not taking care of their families,” she said.  Nowadays, she has found a new passion, working with women in her community to instil in them a passion for working with their own hands to earn a living.

She revealed that she is part of a group of women who gather every Thursday to share ideas, knit and tailor clothing items that they sell to generate income. ENDS