Reflections on a quota system for tribal land allocation in peri-urban areas in Botswana

On 25 April 2013, President Ian Khama (2008-2018) announced a controversial quota system for tribal land allocation in the peri-urban villages in Botswana at a kgotla (village) meeting in Bokaa in the Kgatleng District. Khama informed the villagers that under the land quota system, 'preferential treatment' would be given to the 'locals' when allocating tribal land in the peri-urban villages. Botswana's parliament had rejected a motion on the same quota system tabled by an independent member of parliament. It also rejected attempts to bring it back through drafts of the land policy in 2013 and 2014, and the land policy in July 2015. President Khama invoked his executive powers in late 2015 to have it implemented. This policy is inconsistent with the Tribal Land Act and the Constitution of Botswana, and undermined Botswana's Vision 2016. However, putting the law aside, it should be viewed from a social justice perspective.