Mmadinare residents divided over acting appointment
Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday November 14, 2017 17:20
Three months ago, the furious community of Mmadinare flatly defied Bamangwato Tribal Authority to bring back Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso to stand for Kgosi Mphoeng Mphoeng, as the acting chief until October 2018
Morafe that thronged a Kgotla meeting addressed by Kgosi Mokhutshwane Sekgoma rejected the appointment of Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso when the rightful heir is available. There has not been any response from Serowe.
Kgosi Maureen Mphoeng confirmed that the community has appointed a delegation to travel to Serowe. “I do not know when they will be going because they have not met me. They are supposed to meet me first,” she said during an interview. Kgosi Maureen Mphoeng, the mother to the heir Kgosi Mphoeng Mphoeng, said she is not sure of the composition of the delegation.
Headman of record Tumelo Kgari, who was part of the initial delegation that was informed about the decision to appoint Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso, also confirmed that there were a few changes in the new delegation.
“I, however decided to withdraw from the delegation due to some issues that were raised during the meeting that was addressed by Kgosi Sekgoma,” he said.
Kgari said he personally does not have any problem with the return of Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso because he believes the latter has contributed to the building of Mmadinare village, adding that some allegations raised against Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso are false. “The delegation is yet to meet Kgosi Maureen Mphoeng before leaving for Serowe,” he added.
Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso retired in 2014 as Mmadinare chief to give way for the rightful heir Kgosi Mphoeng Mphoeng who is still at school. After Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso’s retirement, there was no official appointment to act on the throne, however Kgosi Maureen Mphoeng has been holding the fort. The decision taken by Bamangwato regent, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane that Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso should be appointed on an acting basis until October next year has not resonated well with the morafe. Their main concern is that Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso had not worked with them well for all the years he was leading them and wondered why Kgosi Maureen Mphoeng cannot be appointed to fill that vacant position. It is evident that the delegation that initially went to Serowe also rejected the decision. During a previous heated Kgotla meeting, morafe said since it is evident that Bamangwato Tribal Authority are organising an employment for Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso, they must look in one of the kgotlas in Serowe not Mmadinare. Joel Motshegwa said the community is now wiser and therefore cannot dance to any decision made without their input. “Seeletso o ne a sa bereke sentle le Mma Mphoeng gape o ne a sena morero. What is there in Seeletso that is not in Mma Mphoeng. Go back to Serowe we will inform you who we want as morafe,” said Maatso Bogosing.
One resident also asked if they can nullify the powers vested on Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane by law and wanted to know if a public opinion can supercede Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane’s powers.
Kgosi Mokhutshwane Sekgoma said Kgosi Mphoeng Mphoeng is on study leave and he is in the establishment. He explained that Kgosi Mphoeng Mphoeng’s position is vacant and has to be filled in the meantime through an appointment because administratively it cannot be filled on acting capacity for too long.
“We consulted with the tribal leadership from Mmadinare and the Mphoeng family and we agreed that Kgosi Kgamane should exercise his powers and fill the position. This does not affect other positions in any way and we are not ousting Mphoeng from his rightful position, re bua tsamaiso,” he said.