Three royals in the house
Staff Writer | Monday August 17, 2015 12:19
Kgosi Lotlamoreng now joins fellow Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) MP and Batawana Kgosi Tawana II and President Ian Khama, the Bangwato royal and leader of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the National Assembly. Lotlamoreng becomes the first royalty in a while from the southern part of Botswana to enter politics, since the respected Bangwaketse chief, the late Bathoen II successfully did so, also on the opposition Botswana National Front (BNF), of the UDC coalition. Kgosi Bathoen was the first Kgosi to enter political fray in the 1960s after the founding President Sir Seretse Khama.
Bathoen II’s association with the opposition BNF politics where he was the leader would entrench the party in the hearts of Bangwaketse, Bathoen’s people, up to this day, as Kanye the Bangwaketse capital is regarded the opposition BNF stronghold. He also recruited another royal, the late Kgosi Diratsame Mosielele of Bakgatla-baga-Manaana to abdicate his chieftaincy for the BNF. Kgosi Mosielele was however not successful in his bid to represent Thamaga in Parliament in the 1970s, but became instrumental in ensuring the party’s presence in the southern part of Botswana.
Political activism of the royals has remained an interesting element in Botswana. The old parties benefited, and continue to as now evidenced by Lotlamoreng’s triumphant entry, through the BNF of the UDC.
But the one party that has consistently benefited immensely from the bogosi is the BDP. As stated, the party’s founding leader and president of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama, a Bangwato royal, commanded the respect and great following. Because of his high influence, great Gammangwato area has remained a BDP stronghold.
His son, the current President and leader of the BDP, Ian Khama would later take over the mettle to continue to cement BDP hold, not only in the central and northern Botswana, but the country, leading to uninterrupted rule of close to 50 years.