Masisi leaves Bangwato guessing
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday October 18, 2018 18:40
Instead, Masisi’s address focused on the general developments in the country since ascending the seat of power.
While trying hard to play down the fall-out, with the former president, Khama who is also Bangwato Kgosi and his brother Tshekedi Khama who is the Minister of Tourism and also Member of Parliament for Serowe North West were conspicuously absent from the meeting. Tshekedi is reportedly on sick leave.
Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane welcomed the President, First Lady Neo Masisi and their ministerial entourage.
Although he did not apologise for the absence of the former president, Kgamane made it clear that there is no scheduled Kgotla meeting the next day as the nation was made to believe that Khama would be countering Masisi’s.
Kgamane said the only meeting scheduled for the Kgotla was a closed session with other Dikgosi in the region, which he himself organised.
While many dared broach the subject, one Thapelo Rapitsenyane stirred a hornet nest when he questioned the President’s relationship with his predecessor. The question forced Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi to stand up and bring the line of questioning to order.
Rapitsenyane had asked Masisi to clear the air about his relationship with Khama. He noted the absence of Khama at the meeting as an indicator of bad blood.
“What is these rumours of spite that is circulating about you Mr. President and the former president, what has come between the two of you?” he asked to much fanfare and ululations.
He noted the profound changes that have happened in a short span since the change of guard and the reversals of some of the policies of the past leadership of the country.
“Re utwa gotwe le baakanya lehatshe, potso ke gore ne o le bokgakala bokahe ha dilo tse di diraga pele o nna tautona?” he asked.
When responding to Rapitsenyane, Masisi said he should be respectful and take into consideration the platform and his line of questioning. He said Rapitsenyane should also check his sources.
“You should understand the motives of the people that bring about such gossip. My leadership is not fixing anything, as it has been a common topic. We are simply continuing where the past leadership left off, as it has been the case with all my past predecessors,” he said
After the gathering, some people who responded to Mmegi expressed disappointment at Masisi’s response, saying he was not as clear about his fallout with Khama.
Warona Thube of Mannathoko ward said the President was not direct instead he chose to threaten the person who asked the question.
“The reason why people were ululating and clapping hands when that question was asked is because they want a clear answer and the President chose not to be direct. We don’t know what it means, it shows something is happening,” he said.
Botoka Keteng of Bokhurutshe ward said Rapitsenyane asked relevant questions. She said they wanted to know why he is making changes like he is discrediting his former boss. As of the matters of bad relationships, she said there is no smoke without fire.
“We did not get the answer we expected to that question. It is a serious matter that needs to be treated as serious and the President could have been clear, he is an eloquent man and we expected him to as eloquent,” she said.
An elder from Rasokwane ward who preferred anonymity said although the President did not provide a direct answer, he was on point on saying people should be careful of the sources of the news. She said she was happy with the address from the Kgotla meeting.