This was announced today by Mogalakwe Mogalakwe, the chairperson of the committee of tribesmen representing Mahalapye in Gammagwato-wide frenzied preparations for the return to the throne by the BaNgwato chief, Kgosi Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who was first lent to the Botswana military and then later to politics, after he was first installed BaNgwato paramount chief in 1979. The last rightful chief of BaNgwato was Sekgoma II, father to Seretse Khama, who died in his Serowe tribal capital in 1925 – setting the scene for ruling by regency in Gammangwato since his death until now. The accession to office by Kgosi Khama IV on November 30 will finally break the jinx in BaNgwato royal history. After Kgosi Sekgoma II died in 1925, he was supposed to be succeeded by a four-year-old Seretse who was therefore, too young to rule BaNgwato at the time. Kgosi Tshekedi Khama stepped into the breach for the longest service as regent of BaNgwato. Kgosi Tshekedi was born of Kgosi Khama III’s second wife, Semane.
Therefore, he was the half-brother to Kgosi Sekgoma II. Kgosi Tshekedi stepped down in 1952 after a long, drawn-out and bitter fight with his nephew, Seretse over his marriage to Ruth Williams. He considered the union to be against SeNgwato tradition and culture. Kgosi Khama IV was the son of Seretse, the then BaNgwato prince who renounced the chieftainship. Kgosi Tshekedi was succeeded by a long string of regents that included Kgosi Rasebolai Kgamane, Kgosi Mokgacha Mokgadi, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane and others over the years. On Wednesday this week, Mahalapye residents filled their kgotla to capacity and they ululated and cheered on learning that Kgosi Seretse Khama Ian Khama will finally be reinstated into his tribal office at the end of November this year. They were told that Kgosi Khama IV had initially wanted to assume office on November 4. But the royal family and his uncles persuaded him to delay that so that his people and the many prominent people around Africa and elsewhere who wanted to grace the occasion, could be present. BaNgwato also wanted to prepare a good and fitting ceremony for the return of their Kgosi to the throne.
