Community Engagement in Health and Socio Economic Developments- Kgosi Maruje III

Given the relevant tools and means, Magosi who are increasingly young and educated can become powerful influence and strategic pillars for mobilizing communities to become engines of health as aspect of socio-economic developments in Botswana, revelled Kgosi Maruje lll Thabo Masunga of Masunga.

In delivering his research paper titled: “Mobilising Communities to become engines of health as an aspect of socio-economic developments,” during a public lecture  at University of Botswana Conference Centre on September 21^st 2017 which was organised by the University of Botswana, World Health Organization and Ministry of Health and Wellness. Kgosi Maruje explained that Communities and especially Magosi can however influence health through constructive engagement in conversations, activities, policy formulation and many other ways that can mediate circumstances and determinants of health.

“Many health issues interface with cultural norms, principles, behaviours and practices. They also interface with conditions and circumstances, in which people are born, live, grow and die. Levels of income and education, availability and accessibility of goods and services for instance can influence health” said Kgosi Maruje.

He also argued that Magosi as custodian of culture can influence cultural norms that cause bodily harm such as child marriages resulting in early sexual debut and pregnancy, or those that promote unhealthy habits such tobacco use, too much alcohol, fat and salt and many others. He said they can be stopped or at least reduced by societal pressure or communal efforts influence by Magosi since they have the powers to influence policy and direct leeway to other leadership structures. “Magosi remain strong advocates for community developments” said Kgosi Maruje.

He also explained that the biggest challenge they face in modern days as Magosi is remaining relevant in the face of rapidly changing cultural norms and population dynamics. “60 percent of population of Botswana is young and not as attached or amenable to Bogosi as generation that come before them” said Kgosi Maruje. The Kgotla is much less appealing to this cohort, which challenge them to find ways of becoming relevant to them.

Kgosi Maruje also explained that the advancement of technology such as social media also contribute to lack of communication within sub-community which presents serious challenge for mean fully conversation about community developments. He said social media presents a revolutionary and effective communication which he believes can be turned in to opportunity that can be harnessed to involve young people in community development. “It can be skilfully used to re-introduce cultural values and sense of community to a generation that seems to have largely disconnected” said Kgosi Maruje.

He also argued that Magosi should be provided with job training on this technological advancement to help them keep pace with contemporary conversations with increasingly young and sophisticated population and developments in order to influence policy and norms from a position of strength.