Africa-Press – Botswana. Upon his return on Saturday, former president Ian Khama will use his family homestead to address the tribe, the spokesman of the BaNgwato Royal Uncles, Rasebolai Kgamane, has said.
This, he said, is to avoid encountering the kind of problems they experienced in the past when they tried to use the main kgotla in Serowe.
Speaking in an interview, Kgamane said in addition to circumstances surrounding use of the main kgotla, asking Regent Serogola Seretse for permission to use the forum for the ceremony on Saturday would be demeaning because Kgosi Serogola’s position is inferior to Khama’s.
Demeaning
“It is worth noting that Khama is the owner of the Serowe kgotla and is senior to Regent,” Kgamane said. “To approach him with a request to use the kgotla would therefore be demeaning to the status of Khama.
“In our view, there is no one to seek permission from because that kgotla belongs to Khama. That is why we have decided that Khama will use his family homestead to address BaNgwato on Saturday.”
Use of the main kgotla in Serowe has been mired in controversy since Khama fled into self-imposed exiled in South Africa three years, alleging plots to assassinate him.
Partisan
After some time, the Royal Uncles were denied access to the kgotla on the basis of allegations that they were using it for partisan issues when the kgotla is an apolitical forum.
The government then appointed Serogola to the position of Regent in the face of resistance of the Royal Uncles and former president Khama as the Paramount Chief of BaNgwato.
Since his appointment, relations between the government and BaNgwato Royal Uncles have worsened, with Kgosi Serogola accusing them of seeking to use the kgotla for parochial political ends and the Royal Uncles dismissing him as an imposter.
Violent confrontations
At one stage, the Royal Uncles defied the ban on them a few times and used the main kgotla. This often resulted in violent confrontations with the police when BaNgwato disregarded orders to disperse.
Meanwhile, in an interesting development, the Royal Uncles have invited President Mokgweetsi Masisi to join them in a ceremony to welcome Khama back on Saturday.
In their letter of invitation, they say they were motivated by the President’s recent remarks that he does not want his former president to be treated with disrespect in any way.
Peace and reconciliation
“In the spirit of peace and reconciliation, we found the need to invite Masisi to join us in welcoming the former president back home,” the letter reads.
“It is our sincere belief that this may present an opportunity for our two leaders to meet and begin a new chapter of peaceful resolution of differences.”
It remains to be seen if President Masisi will honour the invitation.
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