Bahurutshe Finally Crown Chief, Triumph Over Malope II
Pini Bothoko | Monday September 4, 2017 17:01
The ceremony was held on Saturday at the village Kgotla, but not before being marred by controversies, especially with regard to the draping of the kgosi with a leopard skin. Despite threats of non-recognition by the Bangwaketse, the Bahurutshe of Manyana went ahead to drape their Kgosi with a leopard skin. Filled with happiness, the Bahurutshe could not hide their joy during the entire event. Residents were certain that it was Kgosi Mosielele’s birthright to be draped with a leopard skin, something believed to have inherited from his late father, Kgosi Mareko Mosielele.
However, the Bangwaketse feel that Mosielele’s wearing of a leopard and lion hides is a direct challenge to the authority of Bangwaketse chief, Kgosi Malope II, who presides over the entire territory, including Manyana.
Kgosi Malope II who snubbed the event despite having been included in the programme is adamant that the Bahurutshe of Manyana are within his territory and only one chief in the region being him can be draped with a leopard skin. Multitudes flocked the village kgotla to witness the ceremony that was however anticipated to be full of upheaval following the government’s confiscation of the skins a day before the event. Addressing multitudes the Dikgosi who stood up to give the incoming chief pointers were against what transpired on the eve of the Bahurutshe’s ceremony stating that it was Kgosi Mosielele’ s birthright to be draped with a leopard skin.
The Dikgosi stressed the fact that all tribes in Botswana should be allowed to practice their culture without oppression from other tribes.
Giving a keynote address Bamalete paramount chief Kgosi Mosadi Seboko said the draping of Kgosi Mosielele with a leopard skin was a symbol of tradition for the Bahurutshe boo-Manyana. Contrary to Kgosi Malope’s claims to have never seen any of the Bahurutshe’s former chiefs wearing a leopard skin, Kgosi Seboko said that it was Kebinatshwene’s birthright to wear a leopard skin because he was inheriting that from his late father whom he had worked with before his death.
“I am confident to reveal that the late Mosielele had instructed that only after his death that is when Kebinatshwene can be draped with a leopard skin something that we are all here today to witness.
Ke dira tiro e ka boamaruri jo ke dumelang gore boa nkgolola,” Kgosi Seboko said. Kgosi Seboko prayed for peace and harmony stating that she knows that Kgosi Mosielele is under the Bangwaketse’s tribal territory hence despite being draped with a leopard skin Kgosi Mosielele should continue to give him (Kgosi Malope) the respect he deserves.
Kgosi Gobuamang Gobuamang of Thamaga village who disclosed to have once suffered the same non-recognition from the Bakwena, dismissed the habit of some tribes who consider themselves the major tribes and look down upon other tribes denying them the opportunity to practice their tradition as culture permits.
“There were some people who were jealous and said a lot of things with efforts to block this event but they failed.
There were reports that some people told the Bahurutshe not to drape their chief with a leopard skin but rather to use a baboon skin, as it’s their totem. I view that as an insult to the Bahurutshe tribe,” Gobuamang said.
Kgosi Thabo Maruje Masunga III said Kgosi Mosielele’s draping of a leopard skin was his birthright and was happy that the ceremony went well as planned against all odds. “I think that with what transpired here today Botswana has changed.
There were challenges that you were faced with but you fought for what you believed in as the Bahurutshe boo-Manyana,
“I believe that today the constitution has changed to what transpired in this village. When we talk about democracy, all tribes should not be denied the right to exercise their tradition and what they believe in or what their culture dictates,” Masunga said.
For his part, Kgosi Mosielele who was overwhelmed with happiness said Botswana has different tribes with different traditions, different totems hence should all be allowed to practice their culture with peace.