Africa-Press – Botswana. Residents of Molalatau have, on January 19, submitted Mr Seifile Malema’s name to be appointed deputy chief.
Mr Malema, who is a paternal uncle to the village chief, Kgosi Letso Malema, would take the reins as soon as his appointment is ratified.
Kgosi Seane Tatolo of Rakops would submit Mr Malema’s name to Bangwato acting regent, Kgosi Serogola Seretse in Serowe whereupon appointment processes would kick-start.
“Sir, your elders here say they appoint you to become their deputy chief. Do you accept this role?” Kgosi Tatolo quizzed Mr Seifile Malema who accepted the role.
Kgosi Tatolo subsequently commended the people of Molalatau for non-violent exchanges that yielded a deputy chief despite initial protests.
In December last year, Kgosi Tatolo bowed to demands of protesters, who decried lack of consultation when Mr Malema was first nominated for the deputy chief’s seat.
The protesters had wanted elections for the deputy, but some residents argued that the chieftainship of the village had a tradition it followed, where a heir apparent was elevated without tussles.
As a result of the misunderstandings between the seemingly warring groups of relatives closest to village bogosi, residents sought time and space to hatch an amicable solution to the protests.
Again, protesters felt they were not consulted enough.
The protests led to the village to operate without a deputy chief ever since Kgosi Letso Malema, then deputy, was elevated to the top seat in the village hierarchy since 2019.
Kgosi Letso Malema served as a deputy from 2012 to 2019.
At the kgotla meeting on January 19, speakers were in unison about the nomination of Mr Seifile Malema, including the initial protesters.
One resident, Mr Jacob Serumola remarked, ‘even those who had initially decried lack of consultations and ultimately protested have now joined our ranks and there’s no contention on who’s the rightful man for the seat.’
Speakers cleared that the protests were born of lack of consultation not necessarily questioning the eligibility of Mr Seifile Malema.
A self-confessed protester, Ms Irene Ngwako, admitted they had submitted a written protest to the acting regent.“We appealed his appointment…yes, it is true. But we have since discussed the issue and have forgiven each other,” Ms Ngwako said.
She said they were humbled by Kgosi Letso Malema’s admission of his mistakes and engaging them heartily.
By so doing, she said kgosi repaired a relationship with them.
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