A Centenary of the death of Kgosi Seepapitso III
Correspondent | Wednesday June 29, 2016 14:52
He was also a grandson to Kgosi Gaseitsiwe. Kgosi Seepapitso III was a graduate of Lovedale Institution in South Africa. However, before he proceeded to Lovedale for further education, he was tutored by London Missionary Society Moruti Mothooagae Motlogelwa.
He was a modernist in a true sense of the word. He was the first kgosi in the protectorate to have the proceedings of the kgotla and public meetings recorded. Kgosi Seepapitso III was a member in regular standing of the London Missionary Society. He worshipped in the Ntsweng LMS church which was built by his father. He played an organ on Sundays in the church.
Kgosi Seepapitso III got married to Mme Mogatsakgari Ratshosa (a granddaughter to Kgosi Kgama III). This marriage was blessed with two sons, Kgosi Bathoen 11(Rre Rakgosi),Rraetsho Mookami Gaseitsiwe (Rre RaSerwalo) and one sister Mme Seyelo Gaseitsiwe, affectionately known as Mme Mma- Sechele.
Kgosi Seepapitso was installed as a chief in 1910. Some of his standing projects in Gangwaketse include the building of the tribal office in 1914. This building has survived throughout ages. The building is just located in the main kgotla opposite Kgosi Bathoen1’s house. During his reign Kanye became the first village in Botswana with public standpipes. Unfortunately, Kgosi Seepapitso’s reign was very brief. He was assassinated in the main kgotla in the evening of June 18, 1916 by his younger brother Moeapitso. Moeapitso was found guilty on October 5, 1916. He was hanged on February 8, 1917 at the insistence of their mother Mohumagadi Gagoangwe.
The death of Kgosi Seepapitso III brought some darkness in the whole of Gangwaketse. However, Mohumagadi Gagoangwe who was very influential, ensured that some honest Regents were appointed to rule the Bangwaketse during this difficult period, on behalf of Bathoen 11 who was still young.
These Regents included the following: Kgosi Kgosimotse Gaseitsiwe (1916 to 1918), Kgosi Malope (1918 to 1919), Kgosi Tshosa Sebego (1919 to 1923), Mohumagadi Gagoangwe herself (1923 to 1924) and Mme Ntebogan Ratshosa (1924 to 1928).
Although Kgosi Seepapitso III’s reign was very brief, he will always be remembered in the history of the Bangwaketse. His name remains a standing monument as we see Seepapitso Senior Secondary school which is named after him.
*Seane Ramaologa Keboetswe is a senior lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature at Molepolole College of Education