Meshing local governance and democratic accountability with regional structures Each ward had numerous administrative wards within it and was led by headmen (hereditary succession excluded women, but it was not uncommon for mothers to act as regents for their young sons). For instance, Maaloso had 47 wards (Rammala, dinokwane, manyadiwa, morongwa, makolojwane, teko, masilo, masoga, mathwane (for Bakaa of Mmashoro), etc.) These headmen met regularly for consultative and policy-making purposes, a practice that promoted democratic governance. In contrast, Basimane Ward had 23 wards (including Bohurutshe, Mosenye, Basimane kgomo, Tshipana, maoba, etc.) All regional capitals in the Bangwato chiefdom (such as Bobonong in the Bobirwa region, Tonota in the Tonota region, Palapye in the Tswapong region, Mahalapye in the Mahalapye region and Letlhakane in the Boteti region) had the four main wards of Moaloso, Basimane, Di tima Modimo and Maaloso a Ngwana. In this, way, the Bangwato (and other chiefdoms) exported their political systems to all major settlements in their chiefdom or district. The hereditary headmen of all these administrative wards met regularly to debate issues and take decisions. Their meetings, sometimes on camera and other times in public, enhanced democratic accountability. There were also kgotla (assembly) meetings in which all headmen conferenced with the chief and the public. Even those from the regional capitals were required to attend. This evidence shows that a strong sense of democratic accountability was embedded in the political culture of the chiefdoms.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 10:40:27 +0000
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