21 Aug 2014

The ongoing dispute on who is to be the successor of the late Kgosi Church Seipone seem to be far from over as neither the Seipones nor Motaung family could agree on one name to be ordained as the rightful heir.

This was revealed during a consultation meeting between the two families addressed by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in Kang on August 18.

During his address to the two royal families, Minister Peter Siele indicated that the Kang chieftainship dispute erupted in 2010 after the demise of Kgosi Seipone who had ruled the village for 38 years.

He said efforts were made in January 2011 by some of the elders within the two families who were tasked to facilitate the consultation process at family and ward level and later came up with the name of Kgosi Seipone’s third born daughter being Ms Basadi Seipone.

He stated that the name was however objected by the Motaung family upon its announcement at ward level who were of the view that they were the rightful heirs by virtue of being the elder brothers to the Seipones and hence nominated Mr Abel Motaung as their preferred candidate.

He said it was regrettable that the royal family could not agree on one name despite his numerous efforts requesting the royal family to resolve the matter internally and submit one name to his office.

Minister Siele highlighted that bogosi had played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s democracy, therefore should be treated with respect and honour.

Nonetheless, the minister said Botswana was besieged by endless chieftaincy claims, most of which were motivated by self-aggrandizement. He noted that the royal family should be in a better position to designate the rightful heir since they had a clear understanding of the dynasty.

“It is disappointing to note that there is a lengthy dispute as to who should be the late Kgosi Church Seipone’s successor despite the fact that his legitimacy to the throne was never questioned in the 38 years he was at the throne of Kang village,” he said.

In their justification on why there are the rightful heirs, Mr Gaboakangwe Motaung explained that their father was unlawfully removed from the throne in 1972 as he was believed to be illiterate, and his younger brother, the late Kgosi Seipone was given the throne. The family is also of the view that Kgosi Seipone was only sworn in as a regent at that time since they were still young then therefore suggested that they are the rightful heir to the Kang throne.

He blamed the Seipones for distancing themselves from the rest of the royal family members and not availing themselves for in-house consultations on to how best the royal family can resolve the dispute.

Ms Ruth Seipone on the other hand contended that her sister Ms Basadi Seipone should be sworn as the sub chief of Kang since their father led the village for 38 years and no one ever mentioned that he was a regent. 

She said the chieftaincy has always been in the Seipones dynasty hence the trend should continue as per the tradition.

She dismissed allegation that her family is distancing themselves from royal family consultations highlighting that they were never informed of any royal gathering.

In his response, Minister Siele urged the two royal families to handle Bogosi issues with the delicacy it deserves and settle their differences in a fair, transparent and open mind bearing in mind the role that Bogosi played towards the country’s wellbeing.

The Minister therefore ordered the two disputing families to consult each other and find a positive way to break the impasse before he meets with them on September 20, 2014 to put a definite end to the dispute. ENDS