03 Sep 2017

The Ovahereros  had been hailed for their unity and cooperation towards the inauguration of Kgosi Karijanua Kahaka III as their overseer in the Ngamiland region. 

The tribe concurred that Kgosi Kahaka III ascends to the position of his late father following a proper consultation with relevant authorities. 

He is now the headman of arbitration for Herero kgotla at Makakung. 

Kgosi Puso of Batlokwa and Ntlo ya Dikgosi chairperson hailed the Ovaherero, who flocked the village to witness the historic event of his inauguration ceremony. 

He pointed out that that there was a clear procedure to be followed for one to assume the position of a kgosi and applauded the tribe for exactly doing that. 

Kgosi Puso said what they did was in line with Bogosi Act (2008) Section 6, which states that where there is a vacancy in the bogosi of a tribe, either by reason of death, deposition, abdication or retirement, it shall be the duty of the tribe to designate the rightful successor to the bogosi according to customary law or according to the establishment norm and practice of that tribe. 

Kgosi Puso said it was a great pleasure to underpin a significant aspect of culture that had been done way back in the days, adding that the role of bogosi was significant in every society. 

He pleaded with residents to adhere to bogosi proceedings and demonstrate respect towards dikgosi, noting that bogosi was the foundation and pillar of every tribe hence the need to give it the respect it deserves all the time. 

He cited some of Setswana idioms, Kgosi ke thotobolo and Kgosi ke letlharapa lele kotangwang ke dinonyane tsotlhe noting that the idioms explained the responsibility, integrity and accountability entrusted on bogosi. 

He further pleaded with the community to honour bogosi saying that dikgosi play a significant role in the administration of the country and they had shown leadership capabilities in the rules of law from pre-independence time. 

Kgosi Puso said there should be active communication channels between dikgosi and the community to avoid stand-off sbetween tribes and dikgosi. 

“You should not judge kgosi by his academic qualification as his position was created by God hence his wisdom was from God’s will and aspiration. Kgosi should be patient, loyal and trustworthy to his subjects,” he added. 

He called on Kgosi Kahaka III to work loosely with his subjects, listen to their advices and treat them equally. 

For his part, Kgosi Potsoeng of Tsau advised Kgosi Kahaka III also not to politicise bogosi as that could create more room for disunity within the tribe as well as bringing down the dignity of bogosi. 

He also commended the tribe for their patience and cooperation in resolving their difference about designating the rightful successor. 

He pleaded with the community to support their kgosi to enable him to serve them diligently. 

Batawana acting paramount chief, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi said they had long enjoyed a good relationship with the Ovahereros since they found refuge in Ngamiland. 

She echoed the same sentiments about kgosi politicising bogosi issues and cautioned the community to stop the practice of turning a kgotla into a political battle field, highlighting that the community should distinguish between a political freedom square and a kgotla setup. 

Kgosi Moremi said it was disturbing as some dikgosi entertained politics, as they allowed some individuals to use a kgotla setup to gain political mileage something, which she said was totally against tradition. 

For his part, Kgosi Kahaka III thanked the tribe for entrusting him with the big responsibility to lead them. 

He urged them to give him great support so that he could serve them effectively and diligently.ENDS