02 Sep 2018

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Botlogile Tshireletso has applauded Maitengwe residents for having a smooth bogosi transition.

Officiating at the inauguration ceremony for Kgosi Mphala Mengwe and Kgosi Onkemetse Mazuwa at Maitengwe on August 31, Ms Tshireletso explained that bogosi was a cultural practice which the government and the nation uphold.

However, she noted that it had come out that in some villages bogosi successions were marred by conflicts.

Ms Tshireletso nonetheless commended the Maitengwe people for not having misunderstandings over who should take over the reins following the retirement of Kgosi Dema Mengwe and Mbuso Vavani this year.

She stated that such a smooth succession would form part of the history of their village and good record on the government, adding that it was highly appreciated in the sense the transit came at time that the two predecessors were still alive.

Ms Tshireletso further pointed out that with such an arrangement of succession, the newly appointed dikgosi would be able to learn and seek advice from their predecessors when need arises.

Furthermore, she lamented that having situations where chieftainship issues were decided at the courts, ‘does not only divide the people but also degrade the dignity of that community as well as delaying developments in the village.’

She thus urged the newly appointed leaders to take their responsibilities well and consider the rule of law at all times without fear or favour.

The assistant minister advised them that they should understand that ‘they are leading people with different views and thinking’ hence they would be differences but at the end the leader has to take full control of the situation and take a decision which would enable continuity.

For his part, senior sub tribal authority Kgosi Alphonse Nsala of Tutume emphasised respect and botho, adding that the two leaders should be exemplary to their communities.

He also shared similar sentiments with the assistant minister that the two leaders should follow the principles of the law in deciding every situation and taking into consideration that the law does not have a friend or a relative when it takes its course.

Accepting the responsibilities, Kgosi Mengwe said they were taking over to continue with what their elders had left adding that they had not come to rule with iron fists but would be in constant consultation with the community in many areas of need so that together they could ensure that the village grows in peace and harmony.

For his part, Member of Parliament Mr Edwin Batshu commended the community of Maitengwe for having gone into the history books with a good record of no infighting over chieftainship.

He said at the time when they were asked to nominate one of their own to take over the leadership, they were not divided by acted as one and submitted the names of the two leaders. ENDS