Dream comes true as Kgosi Basadifhela is installed

The Kang village community enthroned their chief, Kgosi Basadifhela Seipone as the 98th woman chief in the country in a colourful ceremony attended by people of different colours and backgrounds over the weekend.

Nothing, not even the scorching heat could stop the multitudes from packing their Kgotla to witness history being made as the first woman Kgosi ever to enter Ntlo-ya-Dikgosi, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko, draped Kgosi Basadi with the leopard skin confirming her as the official Kgosi of Bashaga ba Kang.

It was a dream come true for Basadi and her well wishers as well as confirmation that the protracted succession dispute is over. Basadifhela is the third eldest daughter of the late Kgosi Church Seipone who passed on in 2010 after leading his tribe for 38 years.

In attendance amongst other Dikgosi were Chairman of Ntlo-ya-Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso Gaborone, Bangwaketsi Kgosikgolo Malope II, Kgosi Rebecca Banika of Chobe, Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe, Kgosi  Cosmos Moapare and many other Dikgosana from other districts and public servants. In her maiden speech, Basadi told her tribe how this day came into being. It was crystal clear that she was never shaken even during the time when her cousins disputed her claim as the rightful heir to the throne.

She said, “I dreamt about this day when I was still young. Just like the Biblical Joseph, I dreamt t that one day I will be a leader of the tribe,” she said, adding that unlike Joseph who told his brothers about his dream, “I chose to maintain my silence and never shared my dream with my siblings until this day.” Another dream came while she was working for the Ministry of local government that she would one day be honoured and draped with a leopard skin by a woman. “All these dreams have come true today,” she said.

Kgosi Basadi’s message to her tribe was very short and precise. She told them that God’s command is for them to respect their Chief and also for the Chief to reciprocate because all are under His authority and will be saved if they humble themselves. She told them that in whatever she does, she will consult God first and then them. She then finished her speech with a call on the heavens to open up.

The heaven responded to the prayers as it heavily rained on Sunday afternoon. Giving her word of encouragement Kgosi Mosadi appealed to the other claimants to Bogosi: “I am fully aware there were differences and disputes over who has to take over, but such is the nature of Bogosi.

To those who believe they are the rightful heirs, I humble myself before you and request you to let go.” Kgosi Gaborone also talked to the tribe about the importance of rallying behind their leader and respecting her so that she can serve them better.