18 Feb 2018

Kgosi Kgari Sechele III has urged Bakwena and residents of Molepolole to prepare for President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s farewell.

Speaking at a kgotla meeting in Molepolole, he encouraged residents to  give the outgoing President whatever  they had.

“I want to remind you that you are not forced to give anything, but you are encouraged to do it from the bottom of your hearts.

Do not put yourselves under pressure by looking at how other places have donated. This is not a competition,” said Kgosikgolo Kgari.

Kgosi Kgari also warned his tribesmen against discouraging others who were willing to give the President presents.

“There are reports that some of you are discouraging others not to contribute anything to the President.

Instead of encouraging each other you are doing the opposite, where is our love and respect in that? We should do what is right and leave negativity behind,” he said.

Still at the kgotla meeting, some residents complained that they were not formally informed about the President’s visit on the 2nd of March.

Mr Gaolebale Kgabo maintained that he was not aware of the President’s pending visit, adding that it the reason why they poorly attended the meeting.

“I only heard rumours that the President will be in our village, but the leadership has not informed us officially.

I am surprised why we are being told about his visit at this moment.

The other problem is that the leadership is also not present in this meeting, and that raises a lot of questions about his visit,” he said.

Other residents also shared the same sentiment that they were not formally informed by their headmen.

Responding to their comments, Kgosi Kgari apologised to those who said they were not informed by their headmen, stating that the headmens should have called meetings and addressed them.

He also informed residents that other tribal leaders were held up in other duties, and that it was the reason why they were not able to come to the meeting. He, however, noted that  they had sent representatives.

Ms Lekgarebe Mokwape encouraged residents to come in large numbers to bid President Khama farewell.

“Let us come and show how full of love and respect we have for our leaders.

It is only us who can make the event successful by presenting a united front as Bakwena,” she encouraged.

She said as women they were ready for the day as they were fully prepared.

She urged other residents of Molepolole to support Kgosi Kgari’s call for to make  President Khama’ farewell visit a success.Ends