On the morning of January 29, 2025, the Honourable Dithapelo Keorapetse, the Parliamentary Dialogue Speaker, led a successful community engagement event at the High Court of Mmadinare. The primary aim of the visit was to educate the public, engage in meaningful discussions, and gather ideas on the operations and significance of Parliament.
This visit is part of a larger, ongoing initiative called Taking Parliament to the People, a program designed to bring Parliament closer to the citizens of Botswana. Under this initiative, Parliamentary Dialogue Speakers have been touring various regions of the country, engaging with communities to raise awareness of Parliamentary processes and gather public input on how Parliament can operate more effectively. In 2022, such visits took place in Goodhope, Sefhare, Palapye, Tonota, Shashe Bophirima, Francistown Botlhaba, Nata-Gweta, and Moshupa, all under the leadership of the former Parliamentary Dialogue Speaker, Honourable Phandu Skelemani.
During the address, Honourable Keorapetse took the opportunity to highlight the leadership of the 13th Parliament, noting the efforts to improve representation, accountability, and inclusivity in the country’s legislative processes. He shared insight into the responsibilities of Parliament, which include crafting laws for national peace, government accountability, and the well-being of the people. One of his key points was the continuous effort to ensure that the composition of Parliament’s committees is more representative, ensuring the voices of all sectors of society are heard.
The Parliamentary Dialogue Speaker was particularly proud of the current composition of Parliament, noting the significant number of women now represented in the legislative process. However, he acknowledged that gender representation is still a work in progress. In an effort to further address this, he explained that Chief Mosadi Seboko, a prominent figure in the House of Chiefs, would be appointed to represent Botswana in the Pan African Parliament, underscoring the importance of increasing women’s participation in international and regional affairs.
Honourable Keorapetse also addressed the structural concerns surrounding Botswana’s Parliament, particularly its reliance on the Office of the President. He emphasized that while the Constitution provides a foundation for parliamentary operations, it also limits the independence of the legislature. He expressed hope that as part of the ongoing constitutional review process, steps will be taken to ensure greater autonomy for Parliament moving forward.
The community members of Mmadinare were eager to participate in the discussions, posing insightful questions and expressing their appreciation for the Parliament’s efforts to make its processes more transparent and inclusive. Many expressed their belief that such visits were highly beneficial in strengthening the relationship between the public and their elected representatives.
After the community engagement, Honourable Keorapetse visited the Mmadinare District Office to review its condition and ensure that it is effectively serving the public by facilitating easier communication between the people and their Member of Parliament.
This visit to Mmadinare was the first in a series of parliamentary engagements scheduled for the year, following similar visits to Serowe and Selibe-Phikwe. It marks a continued commitment to fostering an open dialogue between Parliament and the people, ensuring that citizens are informed, heard, and involved in the decisions that affect their daily lives.
The Taking Parliament to the People initiative remains a vital tool for ensuring that the democratic process remains accessible and relevant to all citizens of Botswana. The Parliament is committed to this journey, striving to be more inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs of the people.
