O tla bona—Bangwato royal uncles warn Serogola
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday March 13, 2024 08:23
"Modisa ga a kake a talela mong wa leruo (a shepherd can never belittle the owner of the flock)," they stated.
The uncles emphasised the importance of putting Serogola in line. "Bogosi jwa Gammangwato ga bo lekwe gase bojalwa jwa Setswana, ga bo itekanngwe ga se borokgwe (Gammangwato chieftainship is not to be trifled with)," they stated. The royal uncles warned Serogola against attacking them at the main Kgotla, urging him to stop ill-treating them.
"Fa a ipelaetsa a lebelele, o tla bona! Ga re mo hutse, re a mo tlhagisa ke ngwana wa rona gare kake ra lebelela hela a wela mo isong (He should be on the lookout, we are not cursing him, but it’s a fair warning because as our child, we do not wish him harm," they warned. Accusing Serogola of denying them the right to participate in royal affairs, the uncles highlighted his refusal to let them convene a Kgotla meeting, despite following proper protocol. They claimed that Serogola responded by calling armed police and the army to threaten tribesmen and tribeswomen.
The uncles revealed plans to crown the rightful regent, Seretse Peter Khama, appointed by Bangwato Kgosikgolo Khama. They asserted that the relevant minister should approve Peter Khama’s nomination in the Government Gazette. Despite armed security forces and Serogola's attempts to deny them entry into Serowe main Kgotla, they vowed to continue talking about Khama. "No one could ever take away our uncle and royal titles," they emphasised. The statement follows a recent Kgotla meeting in Serowe where Serogola warned the royal uncles against holding illegal gatherings.
He emphasized the need to respect the Kgotla and uphold the law in convening meetings.
"Selo se se dirwang ke batho ba ba ipitsang borrangwaneago kgosikgolo ke tlolo molao, go bitsa diphuthego ba sa fete ka kgosi yoo tlhokometseng morafe (What is being done by the so-called royal uncles is disregarding the law; they are calling for meetings without the regent’s consent," Serogola said. He acknowledged the absence of peace in Serowe, expressing his concern due to the actions of the royal uncles. He indicated that the right people to discuss the Bangwato chieftainship are borra Khama, borra Seretse, borra Kgamane, and borra Kebailele. Warning against involvement in chieftainship matters, Serogola cautioned people against aligning with politicians. "After Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane’s departure, some people formed alliances with politicians where they discussed royal issues and who should be the next regent," he said.
He alleged that Peter Khama’s name was once suggested to the minister of local government but was later recalled by the same people who had nominated him. Since former regent Kgamane was dismissed by the government in 2022, Bammangwato royal uncles have accused acting Serogola of refusing to make way for the appointment of the ‘chosen' Regent.