Babirwa endorse Masilo and Patane for royalty
Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday February 21, 2017 14:49
Masilo is currently employed as an Economist at the Selebi-Phikwe Town Council and is from Sekoba ward that is supreme in the village. He is the son of
Adam Masilo who passed away last year. His name was submitted alongside that of Dimakatso Patane to fill the two positions that were left vacant by the departure of Kgosi Mmirwa Malema who retired last year and the passing of Adama Masilo.
Masilo enjoyed massive approval by morafe despite disapproval by a pocket of attendants especially those from surrounding villages who queried lack of consultation as well as legitimacy of Masilo in the Babirwa throne. However, the opponents were heavily outnumbered by those who endorsed the two names.
A delegation from Bamangwato Tribal Administration that was led by Kgosi Serogola Seretse and comprised Kgosi Mokhutshwane Sekgoma and Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso among others were last week informed that the emphasis was on Sekoba ward because it was senior hence Masilo was uncontested. The representative of morafe Joseph Maphula told a packed kgotla meeting that a proper consultation process was done with the community of Sekoba ward and then extended to all dikgotla in the village before it was done in the main kgotla for all Babirwa even from surrounding villages.
Maphula informed the delegation that they unanimously agreed that Patane, who is currently headman of records, be elevated to the position that was initially held by the late Adam Masilo and that proper consultation for the appointment of a new headman of record will follow later.
The majority of community members gave a green light to the two names with
Lemphositse Sepelong submitting that the two names have been duly settled upon and that there is no rightful heir other than Ezekiel (Masilo). He said Patane is also rightly placed in the Bobirwa chieftaincy lineage. Others indicated that processes were followed and that those who claim to be unaware is just out of ignorance and stubbornness.
However others denied ever being consulted and argued that there was an agreement that was made that the five main wards rotate in heading the main kgotla but this has since been ignored. “This main kgotla is not Sekoba ward but belongs to the whole Babirwa community.
We cannot be having the Masilos changing the baton among themselves,” he said.
Letso Malema, who is the son of Mmirwa Malema and currently the representative of Babirwa at the House of Chiefs, said he was sceptical with the whole process and said the appointment of Babirwa chief must involve all the 10 villages in Bobirwa instead of confining it to Bobonong. He said he was surprised that he and other dikgosi from the surrounding villages were not even invited to the meeting.
Another name that was taken along that of Masilo and Patane is that of Onketetse Serumola albeit without any impressive support from morafhe.
Upon being asked if he would accept the offer if endorsed, Serumola answered to the affirmative but said he will see what to do if turned down based on the reasons that will be advanced. Ezekiel (Masilo) who stood up to the deafening applause of morafe, said he is ready to ascend to the throne and said he will also gladly accept if a different name is endorsed. Patane on the other hand said he has long accepted the position.
For his part, Sekgoma was satisfied that everything was done transparently. He found it unreasonable for other villages to say they were not consulted yet they have wards that were consulted within Bobonong. He warned Babirwa to desist from claiming legitimacy to the throne and said it creates unnecessary collisions among the community. He also said it makes it almost impossible to reconcile the community so that they can exist peacefully.