06 Aug 2015

The future depends on many things but there can be no future if the very people who seek it are not the future themselves. Strangely, the future is today. It is not tomorrow because tomorrow is always today. I mean, if you do not act today, what is tomorrow?  

It is against this background that some Dikgosi in North West District are keen to help government address the somewhat decaying social values by targeting today’s youth. They share government’s concern that Botswana may be losing direction in the moral sphere.

If the youth are not whipped into line today forget about tomorrow, they say. Youth today are the nation’s hope in reclaiming the moral fiber that sadly has succumbed adversely to modernisation and foreign cultures, posit the Dikgosi.

Accordingly, these Dikgosi say young people need proper guidance to embrace acceptable social values especially Botho which defines Batswana as a unique nation.  They argue that historically, Batswana are a nation that upholds good social values.

Kgosi Molatedi Dingalo of Shorobe reckons that while modernisation is inescapable, it is equally important for Batswana not to lose sight of those positive aspects of their culture that are essential for strong moral fiber.

However, Kgosi Dingalo bemoans erosion of cultural and religious values as a result of modernization. He blames some parents for promoting indiscipline among their children. He says most children are predisposed to social environments that promote risk behaviours and unhealthy lifestyles due to lack of proper parental guidance.

Kgosi Dingalo blames some parents for abdicating their social roles and responsibilities in the upbringing of their children. He says many families fail to mould their children into responsible citizens as early as possible. He reckons that it is not by mistake that children fall victim to social ills since they live to satisfy their egos as there is no one to guide them.

He posits that in the past, children were taught good moral values and Botho because their parents had time for them unlike today where parents do not create time to sit with their children and share information on such issues.

“It is disheartening to note that some of the most harmful changes have also taken place in our society. Among these are: deterioration in our language, culture and loss of Botho, lack of societal values of common good and accountability and lack of respect and appreciation for elders,” he says.

Kgosi Dingalo says discipline is a prerequisite to overcoming many of our social challenges, be it the spread of HIV, damage caused by alcohol and substance abuse and the corrosive effects of crime. Nonetheless, he is happy that tribal leaders are making efforts to instill good moral values in children and parents.

To achieve that, he says they usually hold meetings with the affected parties to sensitise them on the importance of clinging to good moral values. Parents are encouraged to retrace their cultural roots and do the right thing to build a nation that prides itself in its rich diverse cultures and Botho.

Another tribal leader, Kgosi Rabosigo Rabosigo of Shageng ward in Maun says it is true something is wrong with Batswana moral values.

Kgosi Rabosigo says most Batswana have misconstrued modernisation to mean indiscipline especially the youth. Unlike today’s youth, those in the past used to go to the cattle post and had time with their grannies to learn more about tradition and good moral values. On the contrary, today’s children spend time watching television and copying wrong cultures, he says.

In the past, children belonged to all parents and the latter would met out punishment to whoever was misbehaving but today “they (children) drag you to court.” Kgosi Rabosigo says this is a clear indication of the dearth of proper parental guidance.

“Rona ka nako ya rona re ne re ya morakeng re dira tiro tsa Setswana and we were taught traditional beliefs, morals and practices that is why we recognise the importance of good moral values,” he reckons. Ends