While the outgoing Minister Kgotla Autlwetse has cast doubt on Khama’s legitimacy as Bagammngwato Kgosikgolo, the former has announced he will be assuming his position on November 4, 2024. The announcement comes after a whole month of traversing the country campaigning for the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF).
In his letter dated October 29, 2024, to the Minister, the Director, Department of Tribal Administration and Tribal Secretary Bangwato Tribal Administration, Khama states that effective from November 4, 2024, he shall: Assume his rightful office as Kgosi of the Bagammangwato tribe; assume his position and seat as Kgosi at Kgotlakgolo ya Bagammangwato in Serowe; and commence exercising and performing the powers and duties vested in him as Kgosi under the Bogosi Act and the Bagammangwato customary law. Khama states that his assumption of Bogosi jwa Bagammangwato is in accordance with Section 5(1) of the Bogosi Act, which provides that no one shall hold or assume the Bogosi of any tribe, or exercise any of its powers or duties, unless he/she has been recognised as a Kgosi. “I am the recognised Kgosi of the Bagammangwato. I refer to Government Notice No. 294 of 1979, dated 5th June 1979, and published in the Government Gazette of 15th June 1979, by which I was duly recognised by the then President of the Republic of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama, as Kgosikgolo (Paramount Chief) of the Bagammangwato tribe. I shall assume and hold office as Kgosi ya Bagammangwato on a permanent and pensionable basis, as provided under Section 23(1) of the Bogosi Act,” he states. In light of the above, Khama states that, with effect from the date of the letter, he retracts his previous designation of Seretse Peter Khama as Motshwarelela Bogosi (regent) jwa Bagammangwato and rescind his request to the Minister for his appointment as such.
