Kgosi Sebina passes on
Pini Bothoko | Thursday October 6, 2016 15:22
According to his daughter, Shathani Kgakanyane, Kgosi Sebina battled a lengthy illness. He has had on and off admissions to the hospital.
“His death was announced on Tuesday night. This is a great loss to us as his children, the community of Sebina, the tribal authority and the public at large,” said Kgakanyane who described his father as a loving person.
His contract as the senior tribal authority for BB1 Kgotla expired on September 29, 2016 whilst still on sick leave. Even then, he was not happy to step down.
Kgakanyane said her father inherited the Bogosi from his late father who passed away in 1950s. Kgosi Sebina’s uncles had acted in the position until he was inaugurated to the throne in 1983. She described her father’s passing as a major blow especially that it came at a time when they are faced with chieftainship dispute.
“Residents of Sebina were expecting a lot from him and were also looking forward to his speedy recovery to address the chieftainship dispute,” said Kgakanyane.
She said residents are currently unhappy because unlike other villages in Botswana they do not have a Kgotla with a flag and a headman of records. The villagers had expected him (Sebina) to recover and resolve the matter.
In an interview with Mmegi early this year before his illness, Kgosi Sebina told this publication that he was not happy that Bangwato want him to step down from his chieftainship.
He said the chieftainship of Sebina belongs to Sebina royal family and was not pleased that other people lead them in their village.
Sebina had only wished to step down handing over the chieftainship to his daughter, (Shathani) Kgakanyane.
For his part, Kgosi Boyce Bagai of Nyanga ward said Kgosi Sebina’s passing came as a shock as he had expected him to recover.
“We have been pleading with the Bangwato to provide us with our Kgotla with a flag and headman of records. He was spearheading this movement and his passing would impact badly on this campaign,” said Bagai. He described Kgosi Sebina as a patient, loving and honest leader who served all equally.
He said the later would visit all his family members at Nshakazhogwe, Marapong, Marobela and Semitwe, attend weddings, parties and funerals to make sure that they do not lose touch as a family.
Bagai said the deceased built Sebina village with his own hands, made sure that he encourages people to relocate from the fields to reside in Sebina. “He loved this village so much and would do anything for his people. I would say he died a sad man leaving this world without resolving the chieftainship dispute,” said Bagai. Kgosi Sebina is survived by seven children, four daughters and three sons.