Gammangwato royals’ infighting divide uncles
The internal fighting within the Gammangwato royal family has now divided the royal uncles as others have emerged to bash the group which has been on an onslaught against Kgosi Serogola Seretse.
The infighting which saw the royals going to court late last year has now taken another twist as other royal uncles have taken a stand to support Kgosi Serogola Seretse. In a letter written to Kgosi Seretse they expressed their deep concerns and dissatisfaction in the manner in which things are being done by a section within them.
They argue that public meetings upon meetings have been called by a section of them as 'Serangwane' under the pretext of updating Morafe on the current issues relating to Bogosi jwa Gammangwato.
They stated in the letter that for avoidance of doubt, Rasebolai Kgamane, Phokontsi Seeletso, Sediegeng Kgamane and Mokhutswhwane Sekgoma are not the only boRangwane-a-Kgosi-Kgolo. Neither at any point have they been appointed to speak on their behalf as boRangwane.
“Same goes to a certain Amigo Nthebolan, whom respectfully is not a Rangwane in the first place. These gentlemen hold no brief from us as boRrangwane. That being the case, whatever message they carry is for their own agenda. An agenda which should not be confused to be that of consensus to boRangwane.
“Often, they have spoken publicly, unfortunately, and wrongly as boRangwane, as if they are the only boRangwane. This behaviour, Kgosi Serogola, has to stop as it has caused unrepairable damage to the good name of Gammangwato. This new anointed seniority mentality from in particular Rasebolai does not bring about peace.
“It is a new phenomenon, if left unattended will lead to the destruction of our great Morafe,” a letter signed by Kgosi Gasebalwe Seretse of Pilikwe Village and Bakang Seretse on behalf of the other faction of the royals, reads.
They pointed out that in the recent past, Gammanngwato has had to manage a challenging and unprecedented situation in relation to the fallout of Kgosi Kgolo Seretse Khama lan Khama and President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
“We state this as a matter of fact without commenting on the merits or demerits of who is right or who is wrong. We however wish to state in this letter, that despite our best efforts, some within our leadership as boRangwane and some within our Morafe at large have taken advantage of the situation and have invited politics to the Kgotla ya Gammangwato.
“This has been a calculated move to incite or perpetuate divisions within Gammangwato. This to us is concerning and dangerous,” the letter reads.
They also raise an issue of the need for the Kgotla to maintain its neutrality.
'No matter how convenient or desperate we are we should never use the Kgotla to drive political agendas.”
According to the letter, the uncles find it strange to the extreme that invitations by a section of boRangwane carry political undertones, are disobedient to the Government of the day and have potential to disturb peace in Gammangwato.
“We have taken note of this campaign by the very same within our ranks jwa boRangwane, supported by some within the media, to discredit you as Mothusa Kgosi ya Gammanwato and in the process elevate themselves to some level of seniority. This campaign is based on lies and deliberate and malicious distortions.
“Yet such is the malaise that has entrenched itself to issues pertaining to Bogosi jwa Gammangwato that we do not ask the obvious question - where have the likes of Rasebolai Kgamane, Amigo Nthebolan been and when did they accumulate such knowledge on issues pertaining to Bogosi?”
They added: “if our memory serves us right, you have been Mothusa Kgosi ya Gammangwato for 14 years now. This contradicts what some would like us to believe that you have been unprocedurally placed in the Kgotla. But we shouldn't be surprised, as some are known to use selective memory as a weapon of deception.
“Likewise, in addressing you properly, some shouldn't mischievously think we are on a campaign to elevate you to any position higher than that of mong-a-rona eleng Kgosi Kgolo Seretse Khama lan Khama. His seat as Kgosi Kgolo is undisputed.”
They also indicated that they had been deliberately quiet so as to not to stoop to public debates driven by these fabrications, which would demean and destroy the dignity of Gammangwato, its leadership and the main kgotla.
Regrettably, they say this posture they took produced results that they never intended, as it has suggested that they could not contest the lies that have been told.