Preps completed for Kgoshi Moapare IV�s enthronement
Zolani Kraai | Tuesday May 26, 2015 16:27
Inauguration organising committee spokesperson, Phillip Tlhage said preparations were almost completed while the programme for the day has also been finalised.
Tlhage told Mmegi that the inauguration would take place on May 29 followed by a cultural day a day later.
Tlhage said the event will be graced by some dignitaries among them the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Slumber Tsogwane and Chairperson of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso Gaborone.
He said they have also extended invitations to some members of the diplomatic corps as well as some royals from Namibia and South Africa.
As to who was going to officially garb Kgoshi Moapare IV with the leopard skin during the enthronement, Tlhage said, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng III is expected to do the honour.
“We have requested Kgosi Lotlaamoreng to do the honour as he is the elder brother to Kgoshi Moapare IV in terms of our historical Barolong and Bangologa migratory traditions and linguistic relations,” he said.
Tlhage further said prior to the inauguration ceremony, visitors would be treated to some iconic moments of the BaNgologa as well as an evening of oral historical presentations about the history of Bakgalagadi, at the main kgotla.
“It would be essential of course, to treat the visitors with presentations about our cultural and traditional values and this will be complemented by a reference material in the form of a handbook, courtesy of the Bangologa royal historical insights,” Tlhage said.
He also mentioned that some post activities of the inauguration are to include a visit to the Moapare Family Royal cemetery where traditional leaders are interred.
Tlhage said this would be followed by a culture day that will include among others, visitations to the heritage sites including Hukuntsi saltpans, which were once a source of water for agricultural purposes.
“There will also be an introduction of Kgoshi Moapare’s mophato, which will precede the cultural day events,” Tlhage added.
Tlhage also said visitors would experience the taste of Hukuntsi from camel rides during the day to a night filled with culture and entertainment, from the various groups such as the NamaStap of Lokgwabe.
Tlhage also said a football tournament entitled King’s Cup will also be inaugurated which will feature teams from Hukuntsi, Tshane, Lokgwabe and Lehututu.
The enthronement of Kgoshi Cosmas Moapare IV, the eldest son of the late Kgosi Anthony Pesalema Moapare III, comes amid the long legal battle dating back to the early 1990’s, between the descendants of Matsipe, namely the Leipego’s and Moapare’s.
The Leipego’s lost their appeal in 1993. The judgment declared the Moapares the rightful heirs to the Hukuntsi bogoshi.
Meanwhile, Kgosi Moalodi Leipego has been the Acting Deputy Sub Chief since the former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Peter Siele declared Kgoshi Cosmos Moapare IV the rightful heir after the death of his father Kgoshi Anthony Moapare III.