28 Mar 2018

Bomme ba Malwelamotse, draped in white shawls with men in khaki regalia sing in a procession behind a poet who eulogises Khama, while a candle bearer lights the way for one of their own.

“Duduetsang Bangwato, mogolokwane o lele! Ke letsatsi la boitumelo, re ipelela mogaka!”

Serowe Symphony Choir follows a procession into the kgotla, where Botswana Prisons Band leads the National Anthem with sheer elegance, roaring to a welcoming composition that also calls on all to ignite their celebratory mode - a celebration befitting a hero returning from a successful expedition - Such is the return of President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama from being a servant of the nation to Bangwato throne, his birthright as the eldest son of Kgosi Seretse Khama.

March 27, 2018 will remain etched indelibly in the hearts and minds of many Bangwato as a special day when their Kgosikgolo set foot at his kgotla to mark his comeback to his birthright after serving the nation on many capacities.

From the same day, only four calendar days remain until April 1, when President Khama would be stepping aside and handing over reigns to his successor, Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

At his home village, this is an historic day where his subjects prepared for long hours to accord him a welcome synonymous with kingship.

By 6am, about two hours and 50 minutes before the arrival of President Khama, scores of people had already occupied their chairs, feasting on musical compositions by Botswana Prisons Band.

At 8am Serowe main kgotla was packed to capacity despite droves still surging in to position themselves where they could get a glimpse of the man of the moment.

During the President’s arrival, Central Primary School pupils added to a grand welcome, waving national flags as he alighted his Presidential car in a procession to the top table.

Inside the kgotla, Malwelamotse and Mafetsakgang regiment, the latter draped in peach shawls, set on a ululating spree, the effect of which reverberated at the nearby Western Hill, where Sir Seretse Khama statue stands majestically.

Such created a heart-warming welcome to a man whose plethora of badges and trails were enumerated by various speakers with deft.

While in some countries some sitting presidents have moved for referendums to amend constitutions for the sake of their prolonged stays in power, some forcibly removed while others are outrightly forced into a resignation corner, President Khama, who has been defending the constitution and democracy as a soldier, followed in the footsteps of his predecessors and served only two terms (five years per term) as per the Constitution.

President Khama was draped in a lion skin in 1979 as Kgosikgolo before he was lent to national service on many capacities.

At the welcome ceremony, Kgosi Sekgoma Khama, the uncle to Kgosikgolo, reminded the crowd that when the young Khama left after being draped in a lion skin, a ceremony that was graced by about 30 000 people, Bangwato sent a strong message to government for their leader to return to his birthright in great shape the way he left.

Kgosi Sekgoma narrated that following the enthroning of President Khama as a Kgosikgolo, former President and the father to President Khama left the latter to pursue his military journey.

“You arrive at an appropriate time to help Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane with modern challenges,” said Kgosi Sekgoma, who then thanked President Khama for respecting the Constitution by stepping down at the elapse of his term.

Kgosi Kgamane, who has played a regent for President Khama, eulogised the latter for having performed his duties with distinction, much to the appraisal and praises of Batswana.

He revealed that subject dikgosi from Ngwato reserve, ranging from Rakops to Ramokgonami, graced the occasion to honour their supreme leader.

He attributed developments at the kgotla to President Khama and his regiment, Malwelamotse.

Kgosi Kgamane told President Khama that during his abscence he worked hard with other dikgosi to restore peace and unity in the reserve.

President Khama thanked everyone for their gifts and set many on laughter when he said, “Ga ke itse gore ke eng batho ba tshega fa ke re dimpho tsa lona di ka pekisa motho” before singling out Ambassador Roy Blackbeard for paving way for him in Serowe North so he could qualify for Vice Presidency.

He also mentioned his younger brother, Mr Tshekedi Khama for reneging on his initial ambition of standing for elections in the same constituency at the time.

Further, he thanked Kgosi Kgamane for holding fort for him.

The President then thanked Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and public officers for eased his fruitful stay in power. ENDS