Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
October 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
O teng? Ke teng.
Re kae? Ke teng.
Re kae? Ke teng.
February 24, 2024 at 7:20 PM
O teng? Ke teng.
Re kae? Ke teng.
Re kae? Ke teng.
-A veneer of democracy? The Kgotla in colonial Botswana. (1895-1966)
-Looking beyond Tswana exceptionalism: The Kgotla of the pre-colonial Lunda and their women councillors
-The evolution of indigenous Tswana parliamentary democracies in historical context
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
-Looking beyond Tswana exceptionalism: The Kgotla of the pre-colonial Lunda and their women councillors
-The evolution of indigenous Tswana parliamentary democracies in historical context
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966) | Isaac Samuel
Get more from Isaac Samuel on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:18 PM
-A veneer of democracy? The Kgotla in colonial Botswana. (1895-1966)
-Looking beyond Tswana exceptionalism: The Kgotla of the pre-colonial Lunda and their women councillors
-The evolution of indigenous Tswana parliamentary democracies in historical context
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
-Looking beyond Tswana exceptionalism: The Kgotla of the pre-colonial Lunda and their women councillors
-The evolution of indigenous Tswana parliamentary democracies in historical context
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
If we can’t get the states to adopt a single-chamber parliamentary system, we should fully commit to the ‘laboratory of democracy’ and ban any two states from using the same system. Imagine taking the Acela and passing through states with a Sortition, Kgotla, and Bundestag.
American states are like "Unitary governance? That pales in effectiveness to my strategy, having each state be a lab of democracy" and then just be a carbon copy of the federal government
May 5, 2026 at 7:47 AM
If we can’t get the states to adopt a single-chamber parliamentary system, we should fully commit to the ‘laboratory of democracy’ and ban any two states from using the same system. Imagine taking the Acela and passing through states with a Sortition, Kgotla, and Bundestag.
fun words of different lengths:
vly
sjoe
[5LW above]
kgotla
gjetost
mridanga
mridangam
vly
sjoe
[5LW above]
kgotla
gjetost
mridanga
mridangam
January 10, 2025 at 5:35 AM
fun words of different lengths:
vly
sjoe
[5LW above]
kgotla
gjetost
mridanga
mridangam
vly
sjoe
[5LW above]
kgotla
gjetost
mridanga
mridangam
The parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms and their evolution are the subject of my latest Patreon article:
⤵️⤵️
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
⤵️⤵️
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966) | Isaac Samuel
Get more from Isaac Samuel on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms and their evolution are the subject of my latest Patreon article:
⤵️⤵️
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
⤵️⤵️
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
See also
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
Romantic Love is an Under-Rated Driver of Gender Equality
Patriarchy is reinforced by fraternal solidarity. The Athenian demos, German guilds, Tswana kgotla, Chinese imperial dynasties, Muslim Brotherhood and Indian caste panchayats all reinforced male domin...
www.ggd.world
June 1, 2025 at 4:51 PM
See also
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
"Observing a #kgotla session allowed me to witness how #Botswana’s citizen-centered, deliberative #democracy contributes to stability, social cohesion and economic success."
🔗 t.ly/z6wnH
🔗 t.ly/z6wnH
December 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM
"Observing a #kgotla session allowed me to witness how #Botswana’s citizen-centered, deliberative #democracy contributes to stability, social cohesion and economic success."
🔗 t.ly/z6wnH
🔗 t.ly/z6wnH
1-3 tonight. Unlucky Got bingo bangoed and double blanked in the first two, and played two at once in the last round where I got my first win. ARENITE APHANITE ORALIST NITRILE ACTIONED RENDeRS FAWNERS HEADIEST and PROFITEd were mine. KGOTLA was a fun one.
June 18, 2026 at 3:13 AM
1-3 tonight. Unlucky Got bingo bangoed and double blanked in the first two, and played two at once in the last round where I got my first win. ARENITE APHANITE ORALIST NITRILE ACTIONED RENDeRS FAWNERS HEADIEST and PROFITEd were mine. KGOTLA was a fun one.
Sure, but that Jane Austen ethos was a big shift from the past. The far right now is clearly not a bunch of Darcys.
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
Romantic Love is an Under-Rated Driver of Gender Equality
Patriarchy is reinforced by fraternal solidarity. The Athenian demos, German guilds, Tswana kgotla, Chinese imperial dynasties, Muslim Brotherhood and Indian caste panchayats all reinforced male domin...
www.ggd.world
February 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Sure, but that Jane Austen ethos was a big shift from the past. The far right now is clearly not a bunch of Darcys.
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
🇧🇼 Democracy, the Botswana way. 🗣️🌍
Long before the language of “direct democracy” became common, communities in Botswana were already gathering at the Kgotla, a space where people come together to speak, listen, debate, and make decisions collectively.
#GlobalForum #Kgotla
Long before the language of “direct democracy” became common, communities in Botswana were already gathering at the Kgotla, a space where people come together to speak, listen, debate, and make decisions collectively.
#GlobalForum #Kgotla
September 9, 2026 at 4:52 PM
🇧🇼 Democracy, the Botswana way. 🗣️🌍
Long before the language of “direct democracy” became common, communities in Botswana were already gathering at the Kgotla, a space where people come together to speak, listen, debate, and make decisions collectively.
#GlobalForum #Kgotla
Long before the language of “direct democracy” became common, communities in Botswana were already gathering at the Kgotla, a space where people come together to speak, listen, debate, and make decisions collectively.
#GlobalForum #Kgotla
Absolutely fascinating and truly compelling by @draliceevans.bsky.social
Female submission is a result of cultural structures which suppress the intimate romantic relationship, seen as a threat to traditional family bonds.
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
Female submission is a result of cultural structures which suppress the intimate romantic relationship, seen as a threat to traditional family bonds.
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
Romantic Love is an Under-Rated Driver of Gender Equality
Patriarchy is reinforced by fraternal solidarity. The Athenian demos, German guilds, Tswana kgotla, Chinese imperial dynasties, Muslim Brotherhood and Indian caste panchayats all reinforced male domin...
www.ggd.world
December 15, 2024 at 10:17 PM
Absolutely fascinating and truly compelling by @draliceevans.bsky.social
Female submission is a result of cultural structures which suppress the intimate romantic relationship, seen as a threat to traditional family bonds.
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
Female submission is a result of cultural structures which suppress the intimate romantic relationship, seen as a threat to traditional family bonds.
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
I like a pre-fixed word list so people can't be mad at YTHUNDERED.
... or MRIDANGAM, LE/KGOTLA, SJOE, GJETOST, etc
... or MRIDANGAM, LE/KGOTLA, SJOE, GJETOST, etc
June 12, 2025 at 2:51 AM
I like a pre-fixed word list so people can't be mad at YTHUNDERED.
... or MRIDANGAM, LE/KGOTLA, SJOE, GJETOST, etc
... or MRIDANGAM, LE/KGOTLA, SJOE, GJETOST, etc
-Background on the Tswana polities of southern Africa
-A pre-colonial democracy: Examples of parliamentary systems in the states of Dithakong (1822), Ngwaketse (1824), Kwena & Lozi (1855, 1875), and Ngwato (1871)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
-A pre-colonial democracy: Examples of parliamentary systems in the states of Dithakong (1822), Ngwaketse (1824), Kwena & Lozi (1855, 1875), and Ngwato (1871)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966) | Isaac Samuel
Get more from Isaac Samuel on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:17 PM
-Background on the Tswana polities of southern Africa
-A pre-colonial democracy: Examples of parliamentary systems in the states of Dithakong (1822), Ngwaketse (1824), Kwena & Lozi (1855, 1875), and Ngwato (1871)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
-A pre-colonial democracy: Examples of parliamentary systems in the states of Dithakong (1822), Ngwaketse (1824), Kwena & Lozi (1855, 1875), and Ngwato (1871)
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
#Botswana’s democratic stability and governance success stem from its ‘kgotla’ tradition, fostering #citizen participation and #accountability through village assemblies. This African model highlights the power of localised, participatory #democracy.
www.publicsquare.uk/2024/11/28/i...
www.publicsquare.uk/2024/11/28/i...
In a world where political polarization and disengagement are denting democracy, does Botswana’s ‘kgotla’ system hold the key?
Botswana’s democratic stability and governance success stem from its ‘kgotla’ tradition, fostering citizen participation and accountability through village assemblies. This African model highlights th...
www.publicsquare.uk
November 29, 2024 at 4:09 AM
#Botswana’s democratic stability and governance success stem from its ‘kgotla’ tradition, fostering #citizen participation and #accountability through village assemblies. This African model highlights the power of localised, participatory #democracy.
www.publicsquare.uk/2024/11/28/i...
www.publicsquare.uk/2024/11/28/i...
ICYMI
My latest Patreon article explores the parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms in southern Africa, which are among the most enduring forms of indigenous African democratic institutions.
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
My latest Patreon article explores the parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms in southern Africa, which are among the most enduring forms of indigenous African democratic institutions.
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966) | Isaac Samuel
Get more from Isaac Samuel on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:17 PM
ICYMI
My latest Patreon article explores the parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms in southern Africa, which are among the most enduring forms of indigenous African democratic institutions.
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
My latest Patreon article explores the parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms in southern Africa, which are among the most enduring forms of indigenous African democratic institutions.
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
Couldn't help making the connection to this...
open.substack.com/pub/dralicee...
open.substack.com/pub/dralicee...
November 27, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Couldn't help making the connection to this...
open.substack.com/pub/dralicee...
open.substack.com/pub/dralicee...
Romantic Love is an Under-Rated Driver of Gender Equality
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
Romantic Love is an Under-Rated Driver of Gender Equality
Patriarchy is reinforced by fraternal solidarity. The Athenian demos, German guilds, Tswana kgotla, Chinese imperial dynasties, Muslim Brotherhood and Indian caste panchayats all reinforced male domin...
www.ggd.world
December 22, 2024 at 5:38 AM
Romantic Love is an Under-Rated Driver of Gender Equality
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
www.ggd.world/p/romantic-l...
ICYMI
My latest Patreon article explores the parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms in southern Africa, which are among the most enduring forms of indigenous African democratic institutions.
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
My latest Patreon article explores the parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms in southern Africa, which are among the most enduring forms of indigenous African democratic institutions.
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
Parliamentary democracies in pre-colonial southern Africa: the Kgotla of the Tswana (ca. 1800-1966) | Isaac Samuel
Get more from Isaac Samuel on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
ICYMI
My latest Patreon article explores the parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms in southern Africa, which are among the most enduring forms of indigenous African democratic institutions.
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
My latest Patreon article explores the parliamentary democracies of pre-colonial Tswana kingdoms in southern Africa, which are among the most enduring forms of indigenous African democratic institutions.
www.patreon.com/posts/141004...
historians have highlighted the presence of similar institutions across the region, as well as the transformation of the Kgotla in Botswana from the pre-colonial period to the modern era.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
Parliamentary systems and other pluralistic institutions in pre-colonial Africa
The political history of several African kingdoms included systems of governance that were variously referred to as national “assemblies”, “councils,” or “parliaments,” which limited the power of King...
www.africanhistoryextra.com
October 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
historians have highlighted the presence of similar institutions across the region, as well as the transformation of the Kgotla in Botswana from the pre-colonial period to the modern era.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
Richard Whitaker produced Southern African translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey, designed for teaching these in an African context where orality is still culturally resonant. By using terms such as 'Inkosi', kgotla', 'kraal' etc. he paints a picture of a Homeric society more recognizable to us.
The Odyssey | African Sun Press
A Southern African translation of Homer’s Odyssey.
www.afsun.co.za
December 16, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Richard Whitaker produced Southern African translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey, designed for teaching these in an African context where orality is still culturally resonant. By using terms such as 'Inkosi', kgotla', 'kraal' etc. he paints a picture of a Homeric society more recognizable to us.
Historians have highlighted the presence of similar institutions across the region, as well as the transformation of the Kgotla in Botswana from the pre-colonial period to the modern era.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
Parliamentary systems and other pluralistic institutions in pre-colonial Africa
The political history of several African kingdoms included systems of governance that were variously referred to as national “assemblies”, “councils,” or “parliaments,” which limited the power of King...
www.africanhistoryextra.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Historians have highlighted the presence of similar institutions across the region, as well as the transformation of the Kgotla in Botswana from the pre-colonial period to the modern era.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
Visitors in the 1820s were struck by the civic order of the Tswana capitals, and the freedom of speech allowed in the Kgotla, which they refer to as a ‘parliament’:
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
Parliamentary systems and other pluralistic institutions in pre-colonial Africa
The political history of several African kingdoms included systems of governance that were variously referred to as national “assemblies”, “councils,” or “parliaments,” which limited the power of King...
www.africanhistoryextra.com
October 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Visitors in the 1820s were struck by the civic order of the Tswana capitals, and the freedom of speech allowed in the Kgotla, which they refer to as a ‘parliament’:
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/parliament...