The Kgotla meeting where no one dared oppose

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Thursday February 11, 2010 00:00

The critics would tell you, the system is skewed against dissenters such that in most cases, one would prefer to keep quiet than risk being intimidated.

Over the weekend, a Kgotla meeting in Mochudi offered a good study of the matter.

You would have thought it was a stage-managed show. Though a lot of Bakgatla people had complained about flogging in the media and on the streets, no one came out in the open to criticise the practice. Was it because of the way the meeting was conducted, where a former regent, Kgosi Mothibi took his time arguing the case for flogging, swaying the audience to his side?

In trying to answer this question, it is prudent to go back to that meeting and look at it as it unfolded on that hot Saturday morning.

In a dramatic fashion, the chief, Kgosi Kgafela II came on horseback, accompanied by his young brothers, Bakgatle and Mmusi as well as a tribesman. The entourage was received by a standing ovation couched in ululations and whistles. You could see the power that Kgafela welds in the response he got from the crowd. Men and women braved the searing sun to give audience to their chief.

The chief, together with his brothers took their seats on the raised platform where other dignitaries sat.

Like a true servant, the Deputy Chief, Kgosi Sekai took a register of the villages of Kgatleng, from Oliphant's Drift to Dikwididi, right through to Morwa and Dikgonnye. Almost all the villages were represented by their leaders. Each  stood up to show their presence. Soon after Sekai, who was the master of ceremonies, ushered in former regent Kgosi Mothibi to give a clear picture of the business that would be discussed.

The crowd, which included a group of journalists intently, listened as Mothibi explained.

'I would not like a situation where we (tribal leadership) fear you or you fear us. This is your meeting and you must contribute by commenting or asking questions. We are here to consult. This is the proper time for you to advise us,' he told his audience.

Then as he went on to elucidate, Mothibi zoned in, on the main subject of the controversial floggings. Recently Bakgatla royalty took centre stage for using mephato to flog people accused of being wayward. The media once reported how a 56-year-old man Mokgatla tribesman was flogged in relation to the theft of horse bridles. Later some people complained that they were flogged for drinking alcohol in their yards. They were found guilty of breaking Kgosi Kgafela's rule that alcohol should be drunk at certain times in shebeens. After the Attorney General wrote a hard-hitting statement against the floggings, which have now being termed 'extra-judicial floggings' by critics, Justice, Defence and Security Minister Ramadeluka Seretse called a meeting whereupon they agreed with Kgafela that it would be prudent that a kgotla meeting be convened to discuss the concerns over the floggings.

Hence on that hot Saturday morning, Kgosi Mothibe cleared the way for his master (Kgafela) telling those gathered that 'We would also discuss media reports on the way we discipline our kids. Ba kae basimane ba e leng gore re ba feetse (Where are the boys that we have whipped)? For how long have I been saying let's be disciplined and have a difference in our homes? There is no chief who can just go into your yard to address your (family) issues for no good reason. It is vital to protect your paramount chief, so that he can withstand all storms,' he said.

Drawing his attention to stepfathers who abuse their lovers' daughters, the former regent said that they are still grappling with the problem in Kgatleng. He said female students are forced to leave school after being impregnated by their stepfathers. Another eyesore that he listed was the selling of dagga by some unscrupulous men in Mochudi to students. An experienced speaker, Mothibe put his oratory skills to use, driving home his point as he drew on the incidents of a social decay that needed to be held in check before creeping into the district.

'Last year in Makakatlela (ward in Mochudi), a young man chased his mother with a pick-axe. He was angry that there was no meat. Others come home at night drunk and put pots on the stove only to fall asleep while the pots burnt beyond recognition. So with all this happening, should we fold our arms and pretend nothing is wrong? We should not fear the media for their sensational reporting against us. After all what they want is to increase their sales.  The issue that government and the media have been talking about will be discussed here. When you go to war you arm yourself accordingly with the right weapons.  The war against waywardness is yours as Bakgatla. There is no Mokwena, Mongwato or anyone who can come and fight this war for us,' he said and left the podium.

The tone had been set and the crowd prepared. Thus the stage was set for the youthful paramount chief Kgafela to address his audience.  He started by reminding Bakgatla that he has been ruling them on the wishes of their gods.

'Badimo (gods) ba Kgafela always commune with me and they wish you good things. Whether you are a Mokgatla, Mongwato or European you have a right to live a dignified life. As a former law practitioner, I know quite a lot about human rights. I know that every tribe has the right to live free from the fear of being robbed by criminals. They have the right to live a life of joy, with respect. This is the right that God wants us to enjoy. When you put me in power I promised to rule with love and respect through the traditional form of consultation. We will build ourselves through our Sekgatla culture,' he said.

He said that he had revived cultural practices, re-introducing mephato and is using them to police the district as Bakgatla had demanded of him when he ascended to the throne. He accused the media of attacking him for doing his duty of protecting his tribe against waywardness and criminals.

It was during the question and answer session that speaker after speaker stood up in support of flogging. The general feeling was that the practice is a corrective measure that brings order to the district.

Perhaps out of concern for the 'too good' picture that was unfolding, where everyone seemed to be in congruence with flogging, the royal leadership called for dissenters to come forward and air their views. First it was Kgosi Sekai, then Mothibe and later the paramount chief, who implored the crowd, 'This is a democratic  country. If you are against all this, stand up and let us hear you. We won't flog you (for dissenting). In the absence of any dissenting voice, it is clear that your resolution is that you agree with my leadership style, the way I run the affairs of the tribe. As you know, any resolution is binding even to those not present today in this meeting. Anyone who is against us should know that there is a saying that goes 'mafoko a kgosi a mantle otlhe'' he said.

Interestingly after the meeting, some Bakgatla people were still mumbling. They were saying they prefer different forums and not the kgotla, to address their complaints. A woman in her early 30's told Mmegi that 'It is not an easy feat to do. Do you think someone of my age can stand in that meeting attended mostly by elderly people, who are pro-supporters of Kgafela's reforms and differ with them? That would be risky. I would be marked as a wayward child and persecuted,' said Nthabiseng of Mochudi. She said that she would rather approach the media or the police, 'for they seem like the only ones who can rescue us from this dictatorship. We live in fear,' she said.

Another Mokgatla, 40-year-old Monametsi said that he did not bother to attend the meeting because 'you would not be allowed to say anything against the chief. So why waste time and go there in the first place. If they beat me or my children I will take them to court,' he said.