06 Sep 2020

Residents of Makuta, in the Nkange constituency have praised retired Kgosi Khimbini Moalosi for his leadership over the years.

Kgosi Moalosi, now aged 99, was the maiden Kgosi of Makuta and relinquished the throne in 2017 due to old age.

In recognition of his guidance and leadership as the village Kgosi, Makuta residents recently organised a ceremony to appreciate his contribution to the village.

Taking the gathering down memory lane of Kgosi Moalosi’s leadership, the current Kgosi Oketsang Thothe of Makuta described Moalosi as someone who truly believed in volunteerism.

“Born in 1921, Kgosi Moalosi joined bogosi at the age of 27 in 1948 after a proposal by Nswazwi village elders,” said Kgosi Thothe.

Kgosi Thothe noted that by then Makuta was not yet a recognised settlement and therefore, Kgosi Moalosi was one of the tribesmen at Nswazwi.

He said between 1970 and 1982, Kgosi Moalosi was elevated to a higher position of leading the village of Nswazwi as Kgosi.

“He was committed and served fully even without remuneration,” said Kgosi Thothe.

“By 1982, Kgosi Moalosi requested to be relieved of his responsibilities as Nswazwi Kgosi, paving way for the rightful heir to the Nswazwi throne, Kgosi Mathafeni Nswazwi. However, the elders and residents refused his proposal and asked him to continue as their Kgosi,” said Kgosi Thothe.

“As years passed and with him also aging, Kgosi Moalosi was relegated to the post of headman of arbitration at one of the wards in Masunga.

Ultimately, the village of Makuta was gazetted in 2005, and again the residents of that settlement promoted him to the lead role as Kgosi.

He led the village voluntarily, without remuneration, which did not discourage Kgosi Moalosi as he devoted his time and energy to the development of the settlement,” said Kgosi Thothe.

Furthermore, Kgosi Thothe revealed that the nonagenarian was part of the team that hatched the idea of forming a cooperative society and brigades in Nswazwi.

In addition, it was under his leadership that the remains of Kgosi John Nswazwi were repatriated from Zimbabwe for re-burial in his country of origin, Botswana, at the village of Nswazwi.

“Despite his old age, the community of Makuta were determined not to let him go and therefore wanted him to be rewarded for continued dedication and volunteerism.

Therefore in 2014, when the post of Kgosi in Makuta was upgraded to Headman of Records, the residents begged Kgosi Moalosi to stay put.

Even though the villagers were eager for Kgosi Moalosi to stay in office, an unprecedented stumbling block emerged.

Due to his age, government  could not appoint him to the position.

Aged 93, Kgosi Moalosi could not be engaged as a government employee as his age was above the set retirement age of a Kgosi, said Kgosi Thothe.    

However, Kgosi Thothe following people’s pleas, government engaged Kgosi Moalosi on a three-year contract.

Therefore, he served from September 01, 2014 and retired in 2017 at the age of 96.

In addition to the  accolades from the community for his outstanding leadership, Kgosi Moalosi was also acknowledged by government.

In 2012, he was among the recipients of the Presidential Honor award.

Meanwhile Kgosi Shathani Kgakanyane of Sebina also shared similar sentiments about Kgosi Moalosi’ leadership qualities.

Kgosi Kgakanyane noted that Kgosi Moalosi had shared with them leadership qualities that would come handy for many years to come.

“We have  learnt a lot from his leadership qualities, and we shall continue to cherish him,” she said.

The residents of Makuta and neighbouring villages of Goshwe and Marapong presented the retired leader with various gifts, which included P10 000 cash. ENDS