Long live the King, long live Mogomela
Richard Moleofe | Friday June 26, 2015 17:00
Such words were relevant when taking into account the fact that he was an ailing president. Seretse dominated the news headlines on radio and the two newspapers that existed at the time in Mmegi and Daily News. He was often off sick and would dash out of the country for medical attention.
When as children we were made to recite “long live the President” everyday, we knew it was in honour of Seretse, our founding president. And when Ketumile Masire took over in July 1980, all of a sudden all the recitations came to a halt. I remember asking one of my teachers why we were no longer required to sing the recitation and her answer was simple, “we will no longer sing that because Masire is not sick.”
Over the weekend I was greeted with the sad news of the passing on of “King” Mogomela at a luncheon in Mogoditshane. Immediately after I enjoyed my meal, I texted several of my friends informing them about the passing of the “King”. The replies came in all sorts of manner. One asked about the successor to the throne while the other asked if flags were going to be flown at half mast.
I am an ardent listener to gospel music and one of the songs that I love to hear is titled “Who is this King of Glory” and this is in reference to the Christ. Many have wondered who “King” Mogomela is and I am here to provide those answers.
I made it a point that I lay my hands on Mogomela’s obituary in so that I could answer people’s curiosity from a more informed platform. His official names are Mothoosele Emmanuel Mogomela born 16 Feberuary, 1927 in Tsienyane even though he claims to be much older than that. I believe there is some substance in his claims when taking into account the fact that people born on that year only turned 18 years of age in 1945 when the war ended. Anyway, the fact is that he participated in the war.
In his obituary, it is recorded that after his retirement from the civil service where he served at the Department of Veterinary Services, he pursued his passion of writing history materials. It is this passion that I have keen interest in following. It is with much irony that in my work from last week, I recognised “King” Mogomela’s work by making several references to his work. He really had potent views about the monarchy in Botswana and that particularly to the fact that Botswana did not have a king. I am still to meet any one person who is a student of history who is equally passionate about this subject. In last week’s opinion piece I recognised the work and passion of “King” Mogomela. Though he was not an intellectual, he interrogated real issues. Issues that many educated people have been oblivious to.
Of late the “King” somewhat slid into some form of silence and I guess it was due to ill health which he eventually succumbed to. But his reason for slowing down in his public appearances may be directly attributed to the change of guard at State House. During Masire’s reign as president, the “King” insisted to be recognised as the “King of Botswana”. Masire’s government issued him with a letter of authority that allowed him some leverage to conduct himself in a somewhat semi-official manner. Part of the letter read to allow the “King” free access to public transportation facilities such as buses and trains. The “King” travelled with ease and according to his wishes to any part of the country. Even bus services that are privately operated recognised the “King” and allowed him to travel free of charge.
Many people expect former President Masire to be present and give a speech at his funeral in Francistown on Saturday. We have perceived them to be friends and that is so true. Masire gave “King” Mogomela the semi official status and those circumstances changed when Mogae took over. From that time, we saw fewer appearances of the “King” at the various official functions.
“King” Mogomela always appeared at official functions in what appeared to be a leopard’s skin. That is a crown for African kings. He was always heavily decorated with a maze of medals dating back from his war days. Unlike his comrade in arms, Ramosarwna Molatlhwa from Gabane who likes to wear his various medals on the original war uniform of the commonwealth of British colonies, the “King” preferred a tailor made suit that sheds Botswana’s colours. He was indeed a patriot in the real sense.
One of the official functions where “King” Mogomela would ever be present was the presentation of the national budget at the halls of parliament. That is where he rubbed shoulders with dignitaries of all sorts. But the one questioned that never departed from the lips of many attending such events was “who is this ‘King’?” This question was often aroused by the loud applauds and ululations that marked the arrival of the “King”. He was a people’s king and they had accepted him as such.
I looked at Mogomela as one man who is so obsessed with the ideas of royalty. The idea of kingship in Botswana is something that we could still exploit when taking into account the possibilities of tourist spinoffs. I am not asking for an absolute monarchy but it is a fact that when we establish one of our own, then people will visit Botswana just for the purpose of meeting the royal family.
Don’t think I am natter. It would be one way we could preserve our culture. Our chiefs who are in fact supposed to be called kings are now dressed up in European three piece suits which in no way depict our culture. We are very far from what our culture is supposed to be. Appointing a new king for Botswana would be a perfect route to renaissance. Of course this would be a ceremonial appointment where the king would not exercise any powers like what we see in Swaziland. Lesotho is a perfect example. The monarchy in that country has become a symbol of unity. Regardless of the many coups that have taken place there, the monarchy has remained to be a stabilising factor. When soldiers and politicians decide to throw the country in limbo as often as they do, the nation looks up to the monarchy for their redemption.
And what of the “King’s” estate? Notable items of interest that were close to the “King’s” heart were his wealth of medals and memorabilia. It is a pity several of the medals from both WW1 and WW2 are lost at burials. That should not be the case. These should be preserved and the National Archives and or the National Museum and Monuments should awaken to this and initiate something to save this wealth of history that often rests in multitudes of graves. The “King” has sired seventeen children with his three wives, and I just hope they will agree on how best to preserve his legacy and particularly his bicycle which was his official mode of transport. “King” Mogomela often looked a little strange in the manner that he conducted himself. His obsession for royalty would not have been misplaced in such places like England where people with such cravings are not in short supply. Some who are wealthy have gone to greater lengths to appease their craving by living lives befitting royalty only.
In the United States of America, the White House which is the official residence of the seating president has been copied several times in effort to satisfy this obsession. A few of these are used as hotels so that those who wish to sleep as the first family can do so once in a lifetime. Unlike here, the plans of the White House are available on the internet and anyone can build a replica of this magnificent building. Gone but not forgotten, “King” Mogomela was in a class of his own, a man doused and baptised in royalty. Long live the “King” while your soul rests in peace.
*Richard Moleofe is a Retired Military Officer (Distinguished Service Medal)