05 Oct 2015

Multitudes thronged Mmadinare main kgotla to witness the inauguration of Kgosi Mphoeng Mphoeng.

Former Mmadinare MP, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe, dikgosi, senior government officials, politicians and relatives of the Mphoeng family from Bloemfontein, South Africa graced the occasion.

The event kicked off with Kgosi Mphoeng and his uncles arriving at the kgotla on a chariot while men and women from his regiment walked by the cart singing traditional songs.

Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso, uncle to Kgosi Mphoeng who had been holding the fort since 1991, after the death of Kgosi Mphoeng Mphoeng (senior), said he was pleased that the rightful heir had taken the reigns of Mmadinare chieftaincy.

He said Kgosi Mphoeng had grown up and was mature enough to take the responsibility. He said Kgosi Mphoeng was a direct descendant of Kgosi Phetlhu Mphoeng, who was the first kgosi of Mmadinare.

Kgosi Seeletso also thanked Mmadinare community for working hand in hand with him during his tenure. He therefore, called on the residents and other people to work diligently with Kgosi Mphoeng, and guide him.

When performing the inauguration, Kgosi Mokhutshwane Sekgoma from Bamangwato Tribal Authority encouraged Kgosi Mphoeng to lead his people diligently. Kgosi Sekgoma said he must be prepared to encounter challenges and be able to overcome them.

He called on the village to unite and rally behind their leader to avoid conflict. He said they should love, respect, teach and guide him and also give proper advice.
He noted that by birth and virtue, Kgosi Mphoeng was the rightful heir to the throne.

He said consultations were made and an agreement reached by village leadership and the Mphoeng family. He also commended Kgosi Seeletso for handing over the seat to Kgosi Mphoeng, adding that the move took place peacefully with no conflict, unlike in other places where there were cases of people fighting for chieftaincy. 

Director of tribal administration, Mr Tumelo Seboko also commended Kgosi Seeletso for handing over the baton without any resistance.

He said his department was inundated with many succession disputes, which were detrimental to social harmony and development. The institution of bogosi, he said, had played an immense and invaluable role in making the Botswana of today.

Prior to independence in 1966, he said dikgosi kept communities together and managed all resources for the welfare of their people. He said bogosi and kgotla system remained relevant in the governance of the modern Botswana.

He said the role of dikgosi was not only to preside over cases, but to build the nation. As a result, he implored Kgosi Mphoeng to do the same. He further told Kgosi Mphoeng that the welfare of his community should be one of his priorities.

For his part, Kgosi Mphoeng thanked Kgosi Seeletso for holding fort after his father’s death, while he was still pursuing his studies. He thanked all that played a role in his life. He further thanked Mmadinare community for bringing him up to be the man he is today.

He called the community to be united, to avoid tribalism and work together with him as a unit, to take the village to another level. He also requested them to guide him during his reign. ENDS