Defiant Kgafela Presents His Chosen One With Royal Fly-Whisk
Monkagedi Gaothobogwe | Monday September 26, 2016 18:00
Those who graced the heavily attended Lesetlheng event in fact are convinced Kgafela II may have achieved everything that the Mafikeng Court denied him at the Saturday tribal meeting.
While Kgafela was barred from proceeding with his planned installation of Mpule Pheto as the chief, he seemed to have achieved exactly that after he presented Mpule with a royal seditse (fly-whisk), a symbolism that was met with loud cheers from the attending crowd.
While the Mafikeng court barred Kgafela II from proceeding with the planned installation, it did not deny him and the tribe to stage their annual heritage festivities, paving the way for Kgafela II and his followers from Botswana and South Africa to stage what looked to be a defiant crowning ceremony that ended with Kgafela honouring his chosen man with the present of the royal fly-whisk.
Interestingly, the royal fly-whisk that Kgafela presented to Mpule, also known as Rra Mpho, is a personal royal identity symbol that has been part of Kgafela II’s regalia and identity since his installation, and the transfer of such a kingly item to a man preferred by the Kgabo as his lieutenant in Moruleng, was a huge statement of anointing, as the crowd testified with their loud cheers of approval.
According to those who attended the Lesetlheng event, the Kgabo, soon after presenting the fly-whisk to his chosen one, announced to the crowd that a new chapter has now began.
He is reported to have likened his tribe to a herd of wildebeests that is led by the alpha one with a fly-whisk or tail, adding that likewise Bakgatla people shall be united.
Another highlight of the Saturday event was the reconciliation of Kgafela II with his Botswana royals, Kgosi Mothibe, who is now the president of the Customary Court of Appeal, and Kgosi Segale, who is the head of the Bakgatla tribal authority.
The duo’s relationship with the Kgabo broke down when they managed to get their jobs back and had their criminal charges, relating to the vanadalising of a Mascom tower atop the royal hill in Mochudi, dropped.
The duo publicly apologised to Kgafela II and morafe at the Lesetlheng event and Kgafela II allegedly responded by accepting the apologies and forgiving everyone.