Mangadi ascends Ratholo bogosi amid murmurs
Bonte Seepi | Tuesday June 6, 2017 17:02
Ratholo, which is in the Tswapong District, has been without a leader for close to five years and he replaces Molefhe Mangadi who died in 2013.
Mangadi (Molefhe) came after Tshupelo Direkileng who got the position through elections and later died in 1999.
At the meeting, Kgosi Gomolemo Molebatsi of Majwaneng urged villagers to embrace Mangadi since they have been struggling and seeking services from as far as the Majwaneng Kgotla.
Kgosi Masego Olebile of Palapye emphasised that he was sent by Bangwato Regenty, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane.
“It has been a long time so at last the government took a decision, and the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Slumber Tsogwane has reached a conclusion that Ditshotlo Mangadi should be the Ratholo Kgosi.
“Today was set only to crown Mangadi. Therefore, since this is not a meeting I will not allow questions, queries and comments. I would therefore request Mangadi and his companions to come forward to be seen by the public,” he said.
Immediately after the announcement, a group of people walked out in protest, apparently from the four wards, Goo-Mokaanyane, Ratholo, Botalaote and Bogopa, which are against Mangadi.
“Sometimes people get too excited when elected Dikgosi and end up doing things that are uncalled for. And regardless of arguments that arose before being crowned Kgosi, you will have to treat all the people equally. Do not take sides because now you are the leader of the entire village,” Olebile advised the new chief.
Kgosi Sello Moroka of Lerala urged Mangadi to lean on the word of God as he carries out his duties.
For his part, Kgosi Mangadi accepted the position and promised to do his job fairly stating that his dream was to unite his people.
His uncle, Francis Mangadi urged him to be fair and urged the villagers to bring their complaints to the Kgotla and not at the Kgosi’s home.
In an interview with Orea Jordan Phukula, one of the villagers, he said they will never rest until the Ratholo Bogosi is given to him because he is the rightful heir, as his grandfather Phukula Phukula was the first occupant of the village in the 1800s while Mangadi arrived in 1948. Hence all the old shops and churches are found in their ward, Goo-Mokaanyane.