Duites and House Business - Ntlo ya Dikgosi

REPUBLIC OF • The House is presided over by the Chairperson of Ntlo ya Dikgosi assisted by OFFICE CONTACT the Deputy Chairman who both are elected Telephone every 2 and half years. Secretary-Ntlo ya Dikgosi 3616844/424 Public Relations Office 361 6800/ RULES OF PROCEDURE 3705 588/511 Regulates Ntlo ya Dikgosi Practices and Procedures concerning the business of the House (Section 83 of the Constitution)

OFFICIAL REPORT

There is an Official Report of all speeches made and all business transacted in the House.

MEMBERSHIP TO NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Ntlo ya Dikgosi through its Members participates in various National Committees;

• Vision Council

• Rural Development Council

• National AIDS Council

• National Population Council

• National Archives Council

• Immigration and Citizenship Selection Committee

Physical Address: Government Enclave Phone: 3616800 Fax: 3913103

Postal Address: P O Box 240 Website: www.parliament.gov.bw

Facebook: BW Parliament November 2006 MANDATE

House of Chiefs was dissolved following a Constitutional Ntlo ya Dikgosi is an advisory body to the National Assembly Amendment Act of 2005 which sought to amend Section on issues of national interest as set out in the Constitution HISTORY OF THE HOUSE 77, 78 and 79 of the Constitution in order to render them of Botswana. According to the Constitution, Ntlo ya Dikgosi tribally neutral. In January 2007 Ntlo ya Dikgosi was has the responsibility; The 1961 Constitution established an established. institution known as House of Chiefs where • To consider a copy of any bill which is referred to it Ntlo ya Dikgosi is made up of 35 Members; some traditional leaders could meet and under the provisions of Section 88 (2). The National Assembly shall not proceed upon any bill (including any discuss issues affecting their tribes, customs One person from each of the following areas, which person amendment to a bill) that, in the opinion of the person and traditional privileges. for the time being performs the functions of the office of presiding, would if enacted, alter any of the provisions Kgosi inspect of such areas:- The 1966 Constitution of the Republic of of this Constitution or affect; Botswana retained the House of Chiefs as it i) Barolong Farms in the Southern District was in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. • the designation, recognition, removal of powers of ii) Ga Malete in the South East District Chiefs, Sub-Chiefs or Headmen; The House of Chiefs comprised of 15 members; iii) Ga Mmangwato in the Central District • the organisation, powers or administration of customary courts; Eight ex-officio members being persons iv) Goo Tawana in the North West District performing the functions of the office of • customary law or the ascertainment or recording of v) Kgatleng District the Chief in respect of: Bakgatla, Bakwena, customary law; or Balete, Bangwato, Bangwaketse, Barolong, vi) Kweneng District • tribal organisation or tribal property unless a copy of the Batawana and Batlokwa tribes. bill has been referred to Ntlo ya Dikgosi after it has been vii) Ngwaketse in Southern District Elected members being persons who introduced in the National Assembly a period of 30 days shall be elected from among their own, viii) Tlokweng in the South East District has elapsed from the date when the copy of the bill was the person for the time being performing referred to the Ntlo ya Dikgosi. Twenty (20) elected Members by the regional electoral the functions of office of Sub-Chief in the college from the following regions:- • To discuss any matter within the executive or legislative Chobe, North East, and Kgalagadi. authority of Botswana of which it considers it is desirable Bobirwa, Boteti, Mahalapye, Serowe, Tonota, Tswapong, Three (3) Specially Members elected by to take cognisance in the interests of the tribes and tribal Tutume, Ghanzi East, Ghanzi West, Kgalagadi North, the ex-officio Members and the Elected organisations it represents and to make representations Kgalagadi South, Letlhakeng, Molepolole, Thamaga, Maun, Members subject to Section 79 (2-6) of the thereon to the President, or to send messages thereon Ngami, Okavango, Kanye, Moshupa, Ngwaketse West. 1961 . to the National Assembly.

Two (2) Members from Chobe and North East. • It communicates its advice to the National Assembly through the Resolutions. Five (5) Members appointed by His Excellency the President.

MANDATE - Ntlo ya Dikgosi MANDATE - Ntlo ya Dikgosi