Kgotla

To achieve consensus in their communities, Batswana have a KGOTLA, which is a traditional court assembly where every individual’s opinion is heard and considered.  It is the seat of traditional democratic government.  The issues discussed at the Kgotla range from personal to national.  Criminal and other cases are heard and tried at the Kgotla, and important issues of tribal and national concern are presided over by the KGOSI and his principal advisors, and decided by consensus.

Since independence in 1966, the Kgotla system has existed alongside the multi-party democratically elected parliament.

Kgosi

A KGOSI is a royal traditional leader of a tribe or village.  The Kgosi is not elected but ascends to this position through heredity.  A Kgosi commands great respect from his tribesmen and is treated with dignity, even outside his own tribe.  Kgosi is responsible for maintaining law and order in the village, with the help of principal advisors who are normally members of the royal family and some village elders.  A Kgosi’s abode is the KGOTLA, also a place where disputes and issues of tribal and national concern are considered.