Mmadinare Kgosi to be installed next year
Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday April 29, 2014 11:32
Though the announcement was met with jubilation on Wednesday, the eagerly waiting community members complained that the date was too far and wondered why such a long delay. w“A lot of things are not going well in the village. The date is just too far,” complained one.
One elderly resident and local Pastor Bampoloki Rantsudu requested Kgosi Mphoeng to bring a wife when he ascends to the throne in 2015.
“Pina ya re le fa ele lepotokisi o siame, rona ga rena bothata (Even if she is a foreigner, we will have no problem),” he said to deafening ululations by excited members of the community.
In 2008 Mphoeng requested Seeletso to sit on the throne on his behalf, as he wanted to finish his studies in South Africa. Mphoeng is the son of the late Kgosi Kebuileng Mphoeng. Bangwato Tribal Authority Kgosi Serogola Seretse and his uncle Kgosi Mokhutshwane Sekgoma came to announce that Mphoeng has been endorsed as the chief of Mmadinare village. Mphoeng’s legitimacy to the throne was challenged by part of the community during the last several chieftainship meetings.
At a recent meeting, the Minister of Local Government, Peter Siele sent a high-powered delegation led by Bangwaketse Deputy Paramount Chief Kebapetse Telekelo to hear submissions from the community.
This was after a protest by a group of villagers calling itself Leitlho La Motse (Eye of the Village) who queried that it was high time the village installed a chief that was not imposed by Bangwato.
This was however dismissed by a majority of villagers.
During the Wednesday meeting, Seretse told the community that he came to present the new chief and announced that Mphoeng will resume his duties as Kgosi in October 2015.
He asked the young Mphoeng to trust and ask for the wisdom of God to lead the community. He urged morafe to give Mphoeng support and his words were met with ululations from the overjoyed community filling the kgotla.
Sekgoma encouraged Mphoeng to treat the community equitably despite different levels of understanding and attitude.
He said a Kgosi is a servant who accepts the bad and the good as well as to guard against those who can derail him through negative advice. Accepting advice from the two elderly traditional leaders, Mphoeng said he was currently held up with studies, but he will be available to resume his duties in October 1, 2015.
He urged the community to work with him as a unit and forget past experiences so that there can be progress in the village.
“Motse ga se wa ga Mphoeng, ke wa rona rotlhe. A re tseyeng loeto le le tla re isang kgakala mmogo,” he said.
Mphoeng thanked the Mmadinare community for making him what he is today.
Earlier, Seeletso had said in his welcome remarks that in February 2008, he appealed to the community and the relevant authorities that time has come for him to retire and hand over the chieftainship to the rightful heir.
He said he was happy now that there is hope that he will be released.
“We have been waiting for this day and we will make all necessary preparations for the installation as well as set a proper date that we will announce,” said Seeletso.