08 Dec 2015

Kgosi Bernard Museke has been ordained as the headman of records for Satau two years after the death of the former Satau leader, Kgosi Johannes Shamukuni. 

Speaking at the ordination, Kgosi Maiba Sinvula of Kavimba advised Kgosi Museke to distance himself from petty talks and jealousy. “It is an open secret that dikgosi in Chobe are not united, however you must establish yourself as a uniting force and not worsen the situation,” he said.

He warned him that the very same people who voted him into the position might turn against him and that should not surprise him.  “If you have those you trust, you must deal with them in wisdom,” he added.

An elder, Mr Sika Kanyenvu also advised Kgosi Museke to refrain from factions and listen to the will of the people.  “You have the elderly, disabled, poor and the rich. All these are your people and you must treat all of them with respect and refrain from discrimination,” he said. 

He added that as he had been ordained by Kgosi Sinvula, he must rely on him for advice and not anybody else.  Accepting his new role, Kgosi Museke thanked the community for their support and urged them to correct him if he made mistakes.  He highlighted that he had been working closely with the Parakarungu kgotla as it was the closest to his village. 

“It seems, however, that people have assumed that I have been going to the Parakarungu kgotla with questionable motives, which could not be further from the truth,” he said.The MP for Chobe, Mr Machana Shamukuni advised Kgosi Museke to embrace the challenges that come with leadership, but to maintain his peace of mind. 

He acknowledged that unity between dikgosi in Chobe was non-existent, but urged Kgosi Museke to be a catalyst for peace and unity. 

Chobe is still embroiled in bogosi battles with some dikgosi challenging Kgosi Sinvula’s legitimacy as the paramount chief of the Veekuhane commonly known as Basubiya people. 

In his recent visit to the district, President Lt Gen, Seretse Khama Ian Khama gave the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane till the end of the year to resolve the matter. Ends