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Botswana: Seeletso Presents His Successor
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
31 March 2008
Posted to the web 31 March 2008
Onalenna Modikwa
Mmmadinare
Mmadinare village is among the villages that will be blessed with youthful chiefs. The acting Chief Phokontsi Seeletso on Friday presented 25-year-old Mphoeng Mphoeng to the community as the rightful heir to his seat. Mphoeng is the son of the late Kebuileng Mphoeng who passed away 16 years ago.
Seeletso was then enthroned on behalf of Mphoeng who was still a minor. Currently Mphoeng is studying in South Africa.
Speaking before the villagers and other traditional leadership from surrounding villages, Seeletso said he found it fit to convene the meeting to inform the community that as he has been acting on Mphoeng's behalf it is now time to present the rightful heir to them. He said as he has been acting for the past 16 years he has been wondering when the right time will come to show Mphoeng to the community.
Seeletso noted that consultations over the issue started in 2006 with the local traditional leaders of Mosokolo ward where Mphoeng originates, so that the community should know that he has been the regent lest people may think he is the rightful heir.
"During that time I was told to wait for sometime until Mphoeng is fully grown. But this time I have taken a decision to present him before you."
He indicated that all the necessary consultations were made with the Ngwato Tribal Authorities who also applauded the move. Seeletso said he was handing Mphoeng to the community so that he could tie up his shoe-laces and leave when the time comes
Kgosi Gapegape Senabjwe of Mosokolo ward confirmed that there had been proper consultations and they acknowledged that Mphoeng was still schooling. He said even the chief's mother agreed but requested that he be excused to finish his studies.
For his part Mphoeng thanked Seeletso for patiently holding the seat on his behalf for the past 16 years and demonstrating the spirit of cooperation throughout that period. "But I still request my uncle Seeletso to continue on my behalf until I finish my studies."
Many residents praised Seeletso's move to declare that he is not the rightful heir and presenting the heir noting that it is a good sign of democracy and transparency. "We are very proud of Seeletso's decision but we do not want to agree that Mphoeng is too young to ascend to the throne because it is his family's heritage that they rule at an early age," the community stated and added that even Mphoeng's late father ascended at the same age. "We do not want you to play at school, come and lead us and look for a wife to marry. He is not young to be a leader but we are not in a hurry, let him finish studies, we will wait under Seeletso's leadership." They also agreed that Mphoeng should be allowed to finish his studies.
The residents said in other areas chieftaincy is marred by controversy and tensions unlike in Mmadinare where Seeletso demonstrated a good leadership quality.
One resident, Justice Mabengano, said it was his very first time to hear Seeletso speaking like a man in the kgotla. "Whenever he addresses the meeting I never hear him but today he has made history and if he could stick to his words then we peacefully release Mphoeng to go back to school."
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Eric Masalila on the other hand suggested that Mphoeng should come during vacations to be draped in a leopard skin and get his salary as a chief before he finishes school. He said the village is proud to have a youthful leader like in Molepolole and Tlokweng and said Mphoeng will be able to withstand the challenges of transformation and run the affairs in a youthful manner.
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