Local Governance Institutions and Land Reform in the North East District of Botswana <Article>

This article examines the role of local governance institutions in the land reform programme in the North East District of Botswana. In this district, there is an ongoing state-led land reform which tries to address acute land shortage: a product of colonialism. All four local governance institutions are examined: the North East District Council, Tribal Administration, Tati Land Board, and District Administration. The interactions between these institutions and the local communities in relation to land reform are critiqued. The article contends that strong coordination and genuine consultation among these institutions could have facilitated better execution of land reform than it is the case. It reveals that due to various factors, the role of some of these institutions in the ongoing land reform is unclear. The Tribal Land Act excludes the chiefs from active participation in land issues. Ironically, the Chieftainship Act expects them to inform their communities about development programmes.