Chairperson of the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi (NYD), Kgosi Malope, has expressed deep concern over the growing societal negligence toward Gender-Based Violence (GBV), urging both traditional leaders and the public to unite in addressing the scourge.
Speaking during the opening of the fourth meeting of the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi in Gaborone yesterday, Kgosi Malope emphasised that the forum should not only deliberate on the issue but also conclude with meaningful resolutions aimed at combating GBV across the country.
“It is our neighbors, friends and sometimes our own children who kill one another,” he lamented. “From December 19, 2024, to January 2025 alone, Botswana Police recorded 60 cases of rape, 19 of murder, and 13 of defilement.”
The statistics, he said, paint a distressing picture of the country’s moral and social landscape, calling for urgent and sustained collective action from all sectors of society. Kgosi Malope noted that the deterioration of family structures continues to undermine national efforts to curb GBV, urging families to play a more active role in guiding and advising members against acts of violence.
“We must try by all means to remain open-minded. This is a serious issue influenced by a series of circumstances,” he said. “If we are open-minded, we stand in a better position to see GBV from a different perspective. GBV is not only for leaders and professionals to tackle — all of us have an obligation to make a difference.”
Kgosi Malope’s remarks come at a time when Botswana continues to grapple with rising cases of domestic violence, rape, and femicide despite ongoing awareness campaigns and policy interventions. His call reinforces the need for grassroots involvement and a holistic approach that includes traditional leaders, communities, and families in tackling the persistent problem.
