10 Nov 2019

Kgosi Kefitlhile Kgwakgwe of Digawana, on November 7, won himself a place to be among 20 members elected by the regional college across the nation to join Ntlo ya Dikgosi representing the Kanye region on a five year term.

Ten candidates among them Kgosi Basiamang Ramokone, who once served in the house, put their names in the hat to be considered for the post, but Kgosi Kgwakgwe crossed the line first with 34 votes, ahead of Kgosi Baboloki Mookodi with 20, the former with 14, Kgosi Kentse Bogale with 13 while Kgosi Kedirile Letshabo of Molapowabojang trailed with 11.

Kgosi Raymond Petros, Sane Thapelo, Mere Tshegofatso, Gaofenngwe Bome, Obusitswe Solomon got less than ten votes each. 

Speaking to BOPA in an interview after the election, Kgosi Kgwakgwe said it was an honour to be afforded the opportunity to serve in the august house.

Kgosi Kgwakgwe, who ran for the position in 2009 but lost to Kgosi Ramokone described the vote as a show of confidence in his leadership abilities and promised to live up to expectations.

One of the issues, high up on his agenda he said, was to lobby government to consider employing headmen of arbitration on a full time basis. 

He said the headmen did a lot of spade work in terms of maintaining peace and order among Batswana.

Tribal administrator Ms Sereto Moitatodi explained that Kgosi Kgwakgwe would perform the duties of Kgosi at Ntlo ya Dikgosi but remained Kgosi in Digawana. 

She said the position made Kgosi Kgwakgwe an ex-officio member of the Southern district council. Meanwhile Kgosi Oscar Mosielele was also elected for the Moshupa region while Kgosi James Khumanego would represent Ngwaketse West.

Ntlo ya Dikgosi which is made up of 35 members, is an advisory member of the National Assembly and its five year life is tied to that of the latter. ends