To wear or not to wear a leopard skin? That�s the question!

For a moment, a fortnight back, I wondered whether the nuclear ding-dong between Donald Trump of the US and Kim Jong-un of the Democratic Peoples Republic of North Korea had transferred to the Republic of Botswana.

Kgosi Malope II of Bangwaketse  and Kgosi Mosielele of the Bahurutshe ba goo-Manyana were at loggerheads; the big question being whether Kgosi Mosielele was to wear a leopard skin or not at his installation as the new kgosi. Kgosi malope firmly stating that Kgosi Mosielele was his underling, living in his backyard; wearing the leopard skin, which he, the big McCoy of the territory was wearing, would be insubordination. Batswana would be confused as to who was who in Ga-Ngwaketse! Kgosi Mosielele on the one hand was adamant: Bahurutshe dikgosi by tradition wear a leopard skin at installation and walk on a lion skin; that was the culture, the Bahurutshe tradition; his father before him was draped in the leopard skin by paramount chief of Bangwaketse , Bathoen II, Malope’s grandfather! So, what was the fuss?

According to Mosielele, the relevant department had already provided him, on request, with relevant materiaL for the ceremony.  With pressure from Kgosi Malope ii, the skins were withdrawn. Bahurutshe and their kgosi, stayed focused! All is well that ends well. Bahurutshe held their installation ceremony, leopard skin and all; the skies didn’t fall down! Or shall there be delayed reaction, sting in the tail for the defiance? May be too early to celebrate Bahurutshe’s upmanship of showing the middle finger to elders; repercussions of an adverse nature likely to come at a hefty price though!

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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