Govt, Kgafela talks encouraging

Mmegi Editor | Friday November 21, 2014 12:49

The government appears serious about striking a peace deal with Kgafela, so much that it sent its delegation headed by Bangwaketse Kgosikgolo Malope Gaseitsewe to talk to him. This shows good intention on the part of the government. Government wants dialogue. And dialogue is better than nothing. It gives us an idea of how close or far away we are from reaching a resolution to the Bakgatla impasse, which is the only thing Bakgatla and the nation really want.

Granted, Kgafela is still involved in a bitter tussle for control of Bakgatla assets with his uncle Nyalala Pilane, and may not as yet be in a position to immediately come back to Botswana, as that would mean abandoning his cause, which he believes to be in the interest of his tribe. However given government’s advance, we can only hope Kgabo will find time to discuss the critical issue of his leadership role in Botswana. There is no doubt Kgafela would be suspicious of government’s intentions given the fact he still has a pending case before the courts. From the look of it though government appears ready to drop any charges to bring healing to the rift between the country’s administration and Bakgatla. We would be naïve to think that a one or two hours’ meeting would see Kgafela immediately coming back to Botswana.

For in every dialogue there are reasons for each side’s stance: the delegation’s side believes greater good would come out of Kgafela’s coming back home to Bakgatla Headquarters in Mochudi while Kgafela says he is currently constrained. He states among his constraints, the fact that he is currently trying to take over stewardship of his tribe’s assets in South Africa, which have been in the control of Nyalala.

Bakgatla in Botswana especially, will find comfort in the fact that Kgafela has not said he will not come back home. He first needs to finish the tribe’s business, which is really an onerous legal tussle. Kgafela himself sent the message to the tribe through Kgosikgolo Malope. That alone suggests the discussion was civil. Kgafela did not see the Dikgosi who came to meet with him as government stooges, and they did not see him as anything but the Kgosikgolo of Bakgatla. We have no doubt government, despite its previous stand respects that fact too, otherwise it would not have asked the other Dikgosi to visit Kgafela. It would not have financed the trip.

So it is possible after all, to talk without screaming at each other. We can surely look forward to the next installment of the dialogue, possibly involving government representatives. Again we can hope for civility and eventual peace between Kgafela and the government. That will be good for Bakgatla, and the country.

                                                                          Today's thought

'Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with trovel.'

                                                       - Benjamin Disraeli