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Acting paramount chief, Michael Gaborone, was not in a position to confirm or deny reports that the ministry has, indeed, accepted Puso's name. However, he disclosed that another Kgotla meeting has been planned for April 8, "at which we will update the tribe on progress made since the last meeting". Independent sources indicate that April will be Puso's last month as a teacher at Baitlotli Junior Secondary School in Ramotswa. It is understood that Puso will assume duties at the Tlokweng Kgotla at the beginning of May. The speed at which government acted could come as a surprise, especially to a section of the tribe which had urged the royal house to consult further after indications that they were divided on the matter. It is believed that government has acted swiftly to agree to Puso's name to avoid a protracted succession battle, as was the case with the Bakwena. Assistant Minister for Local Government, Ambrose Masalila recently voiced government's concern about disputes that arise whenever there is a chieftainship succession. Puso's claim to the throne was bitterly opposed by some Batlokwa who felt that, according to custom, Moshibidu had no heir since he was not married. These people allege that Puso has no legitimate right to the throne since his mother was not married to the late Batlokwa chief. The group led by Senior Tribal Authority, Moeti Gaborone, wanted Mosotho a sister to the late Moshibudu to succeed him. When Moshibidu died in October last year, he is understood to have left a letter that spelt out his wish to have his son succeed him. The letter was the centre of contention when the two camps slugged it out at last month's Kgotla meeting. Those in support of Puso urged the tribe to respect the late chief's wish. They reasoned that those opposed to his ascendancy to the throne should have done so earlier - in Moshibidu's lifetime - since the letter was written early last year. To counter claims that Puso's mother was not married to Moshibidu, a royal uncle, Kgosintwa Gaborone, told the tribe that bogadi had been paid for the late chief's children. It is said Moshibudu had five other children with Puso's mother. Those opposed to his ascendancy sought to invalidate the letter by saying that it was returned to Moshibidu because it was misdirected to the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs instead of Local Government. They warned that it was against the tribe's custom to drape the leopard skin around the shoulders of a man whose mother is not married. They questioned Puso's motive in changing his surname from Modise to Gaborone, pointing out that he was the only one among his siblings to have done this. At last month's Kgotla, it was clear that Puso's supporters had carried the day, leading Michael Gaborone to conclude that there was a unanimous decision. "You want me to write to the minister (Margaret Nasha of Local Government), informing her that you want Moshibidu's son to step into his shoes," he summed up at the close of the meeting. Days after the meeting, Michael Gaborone confirmed dispatching correspondence to the Ministry of Local Government to communicate the tribe's wish to have Puso as the next paramount chief. It is believed the coming meeting could set plans in motion for Puso's enthronement. (FPN)
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