Nswazwi statue to be erected at Nswazwi Mall

Lebogang Mosikare | Friday January 19, 2018 13:00

 

Nswazwi was the leader of Bakalanga-ba-ka-Nswazwi who fled to Jetjeni in Zimbabwe after he was exiled to Mafikeng in 1947 by the colonial government following a conflict with Bangwato regent, Tshekedi Khama. The controversial Tshekedi Khama was the great-uncle of President Ian Khama.

Nswazwi died in 1960. He was buried in Jetjeni and his remains were later exhumed and transferred to Nswazwi village where they were interred in 2002.

According to the source who spoke to Mmegi on condition of anonymity, the plan is to erect the monument in June depending on the availability of funds but if that is not possible, the job will be undertaken anytime before the end of the year.

“We need about P1,5 million to erect the statue and for other logistics related to the erection of the monument. The statue will be erected at Nswazwi Mall in Francistown as a great honour to our chief.

As you might be aware, Nswazwi Mall was named after our great chief. We recently started discussions about the issue. We have a committee that is tasked with the preparations of the erection of the statue,” he said.

The source insisted that he was constrained to say much about the development because discussions about the issue have recently commenced.

He added that the preparations for the erection of the monument involves Kgosi Nswazwi’s subjects from the villages of Masunga, Goshwe, Mbalambi, Nswazwi, Makuta and Marapong.

Although the matter has not been officially communicated to Francistown City Council hierarchy and other stakeholders, the deputy mayor of Francistown Godisang Radisigo said the erection of the statue would be a welcome development for the city.

A jovial Radisigo stated that the statue could serve as a reminder of the history of Bakalanga-ba-ka-Nswazwi and will go a long way in conserving Bakalanga’s cultural heritage for educational reasons.

 “The monument will also promote urban cultural tourism that will spur the growth of the city’s economy which was battered by the closure of mines in its vicinity. Our hope is that the city leadership will also be involved to play a part in the envisaged momentous occasion,” he said.

The chairperson of the organising committee Martius Chakalisa was not answering calls at the time of going to press.

The property manager of Tati Company (TC) Gaesi Khama, which owns Nswazwi Mall, confirmed knowledge of the discussions around the issue.