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.
Nevertheless, Mogalakwe, who is one of the royal BaNgwato uncles from Monageng ward in Serowe, indicated that there was unanimous agreement that this should not be delayed until next year so as to avoid the 100-year-long spell during which BaNgwato were without a rightful chief at their Serowe tribal capital. Considering the high-profile guests and dignitaries expected to grace the occasion in Serowe on November 30, Mogalakwe said the Mahalapye organising committee has since realised that it is trying to punch above its weight and has roped in the tribal leadership of the BaNgwato villages surrounding Mahalapye, senior district administration officers (who report to the Office of the President) and the Tribal Secretary’s office. Mahalapye District Commissioner, Ernest Phiri, Mahalapye Council Secretary, Taukobong??? and the Mahalapye Tribal Secretary attended the Wednesday kgotla meeting. They assured the meeting that they will arrange buses to transport senior BaNgwato citizens from Mahalapye and the surrounding villages like Shoshong, Mookane, Mmaphashalala and many others to Serowe. On mentioning some of the expected dignitaries, Mogalakwe indicated that they included King Mswati III of Eswatini, King Letsie of Lesotho, former and present prime ministers and presidents from across Africa and elsewhere, and especially prominent members of the South African National House of Traditional Leaders – some of whom visited Serowe when Kgosi Khama returned from self-imposed exile in October this year. T
he preparations committee appealed for any assistance to be able to feed and cater for the many international dignitaries who will flood the Serowe Sports Complex on November 30 – and the Serowe main kgotla – where Kgosi Khama IV will wear his lion skin again, and finally assume chiefly duties at his tribal capital. This will close a 99-year long vacuum in Gammangwato chieftainship.
