Chieftainship succession feuds simmering in Chadibe

Siki Motshwari Johannes | Friday September 1, 2017 14:46

Rabojang had presided over the affairs of the village for over three and half decades and it must be noted however, that during his long reign the village enjoyed relative peace and tranquility. Following Rabojang’s demise the village of Chadibe is now pondering on the question of succession and it appears storms lie ahead. 

It is not for the first time that the little known village of Chadibe, sandwiched in the east by Tuli Block farms and Mahalapye in the west finds itself grappling with the thorny and divisive succession issue.

The question arose over three decades ago and the impasse that ensued was settled through an election. As a matter of fact elections by their very nature do not settle the chieftainship questions once and fall.  The village knew too well that by going to the polls to elect a chief, they were merely offering a temporary solution. 

As expected, the events unfolding subsequent to the demise of Rabojang, clearly demonstrate to all and sundry the 1983 poll did not bury once and for all the village’s succession dispute.  It is rearing now its ugly head following a 30-year lull period.  Chadibe is back to square one.

The village is yet to determine a clear line of succession. The issue is compounded by the fact that none of the 26 wards constituting the village could convincingly claim seniority over the others.  Chadibe’s case is a unique and peculiar case. Though a spirit of peaceful coexistence reigns supreme, the village is made up of disparate, unrelated, independent wards existing as equals. This is despite the latest claim by Maokhana ward that its founding chief Malau was the first to inhabit the village and that he had discovered the Maubama springs.

The veracity of such a   claim, which could possibly unlock the succession issue, is yet to be tested and proved.  As things stand, every ward appears eligible to claim its stake.  Five months have elapsed since Rabojang died but there is no clarity regarding who could possibly take charge of the affairs of the village. Rabojang came into the picture through a democratic process.

During the 1983 poll, he triumphed over three other contestants being Sebonetse Modise, Tsietso Ramodie and Radikolobe Keakwala of Motalane, Maokhana and Sengatane wards respectively.

And now that Kgosi Rabojang is out of the scene the chieftainship issue has become a talking point.

The faint hearted for obvious reasons are talking in hushed tones while the bold are doing so openly. It is interesting to note that none of those believed to be harbouring interests in the coveted seat of bogosi is prepared to make an open expression of interest.  Rumoured to have thrown their names in the hat are 43-year-old Kwante Kwante of Mmaokhana ward, Mmolobota Rabojang, 36 of Maite ward and Edwin Ketlhodilwe, 44 of Tapala ward. The list could grow with time.

Kwante is touted as better qualified candidate due to his impressive academic credentials.  A teacher by profession, Kwante works for the ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology as chief industrial relations officer. He holds Master’s degree in politics and international relations. Mmolobota Rabojang is the son of the late Kgosi and is a retired soldier, whose education is limited as he went as far as junior secondary schooling.

Rabojang on account of his ‘royal pedigree’ is seen in some quarters as the obvious legitimate and   logical successor to his father. But others argue that the village does not have hereditary chieftainship. 

Education-wise, Ketlhodilwe comes second as he holds a Cambridge Overseas School certificate. But he has a vast experience on land issues, having worked as a Land Board elected officer.  

In the absence of a clear royal house, the people of Chadibe might be offered another opportunity to pick and choose among the men who would have submitted their names for consideration.

Whoever takes the reign at the end of it all, has a mammoth task ahead. The village, with a population of almost four thousand is facing challenges of underdevelopment among other things.  

The central region has witnessed a series of succession disputes in recent times and these have kept the Bamangwato regent Sediegeng Kgamane on his toes. It remains to be seen whether this particular case might require the intervention of the high royal house in Serowe.