Kgosi Sebina�s contract extended

Pini Bothoko | Friday February 12, 2016 14:05

Kgosi Sebina’s five-year term at a kgotla known as BB1 in Sebina village under the control of the Bamangwato tribe from Serowe ended last year September.

The end of the contract caused a dispute as jostling for his position intensified, something that Sebina did not welcome and was not willing to step down.

For now the saga revolving around this chieftainship has ended as Sebina’s contract was recently extended by one year.

He confirmed the extension of his contract to Mmegi yesterday pointing out that his contract will end next year September.

Despite his old age, Sebina told Mmegi that he is still fit for duty, stating that he was worried by people who threatened to topple him and take over his position.

“Yes it’s true my contract has been extended. If government still considers me fit for duty and renews my contract, I cannot refuse to lead my people. This chieftainship belongs to me and there is no one who can force me to step down,” said Sebina, pointing out that those with interest in his position should just forget it.

Bangwato regent Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane also confirmed Sebina’s contract extension but said despite this, the BB1 Kgotla chieftainship is not yet resolved.

Kgamane stated that very soon a delegation of the Bangwato tribe elders will visit Sebina village to resolve the matter once and for all.

“Next week my uncles will visit Tutume and Sebina to attend to the issue surrounding BB1 Kgotla chieftainship. That Kgotla belongs to the Bangwato and we do not want any dispute over its chieftainship,” said Kgamane.

He promised that the matter will be resolved soon because they are against any bogosi disputes.

“Nowadays when there is a vacant position of a kgosi, there is jostling for power but this is not a good thing because there are people from the royal house who will always qualify for such positions,” said Kgamane.

Historically, the Bangwato chiefs built BB1 kgotla as their resting place on their way from Serowe to Nswazwi during their battle with Bakalanga ba-ka-Nswazwi.

The chieftainship of this kgotla is therefore not determined by royalty but by election.

Dikgosi for BB1 kgotla alternate between residents of Marapong, Nshakazhogwe, Marobela, Kombani and Sebina who have in the past benefited from the arrangement.

Following Sebina’s contract expiry last year, village elders from Sebina and surrounding villages positioned themselves to succeed him.

This caused a dispute, as Sebina did not welcome their moves, and wanted to divert from the normal procedure and choose a person he considers suitable to succeed him.