Even the blind can see that Bakgatla and Government are at war.
Not a day passes by without each of the two throwing a salvo at the other or responding to the other’s comment.
A week ago, the Minister of Local Government, Lebonaamang Mokalake, indirectly attacked the Bakgatla royal at the enthronement of Bangwaketsi paramount Chief Malope II.
Now it seems it is Bakgatla’s turn at the podium to hit back.
On Thursday, Minister Mokalake, who happens to be Kgosi Kgafela II’s former teacher from form I to IV, was forced to cancel his kgotla meeting at Oodi after it become apparent that residents were not willing to welcome him.
Most disturbingly, the minister was met with ridiculing and nasty remarks coming from foot soldiers of Kgafela’s regiments.
Some time back, Wildlife Officers and Police officers breached cultural protocol and invaded Bogwera initiation ceremony.
Last month, Vice President Mompati Merafhe also met a hostile reception while officiating at a Vision 2016 event in Kgatleng.
The root of the problem is the floggings that erupted immediately after Kgafela II assumed office as Bakgatla sovereign.
We all await the court’s verdict in relation to the criminal case against Bakgatla royals.
We however note with regret that the case has bred all sorts of animosity between government and Bakgatla.
This is hardly the way to resolve differences.
The bad blood between Bakgatla and government has precipitated to a state where leaving it to continue would be nothing short of endorsing instability.
It is our deeply held view that nation building should be a priority of all we do and say no matter how strongly we might feel wronged.
The founding fathers of our Republic appreciated the role of Bogosi as an institution to a point that at Independence the country’s constitution established a House of Chiefs to advise government.
How is the nation supposed to make sense of the fact that Cabinet members have been banned from Kgatleng and are barred from addressing meetings in a part that is integral to Botswana?
Of course, in a number of instances, the Kgotla has been abused as a forum for political
gatherings, including by ministers of the current government but historically the kgotla has been a forum where leaders interact with the public and brief them about development projects and other issues of national importance.
This is one forum where the taxpayers interact with those in charge of the national purse to exchange ideas on issues of national importance.
How then are we supposed to accept as perfectly normal when Police and Wildlife officers invade Bogwera and disturb an initiation ceremony under the pretext of doing a stop and search?
This is worrisome, especially coming from a government that has been complaining about extinction of culture.
There are abundant examples demonstrating the bad relationship, but the point we seek to make is that the exchanges between government and Bakgatla has entered a crisis point and needs to be addressed before it gets too late.
We are not by any chance trying to suggest that the cases be thrown out because clearly that is a matter for the courts. However, we feel it is disingenuous of politicians, especially members of the executive arm of government, to make pronouncements on the issue as if the cases have been resolved.
By the same token, we also urge Kgafela and his supporters to allow residents to interact with their political leadership at cabinet level as they try to address meetings within Kgatleng.
It is obvious egos have taken center stage.
Bakgatla and government should not, for instance, think that they are better off without one another.
There is absolutely nothing wrong for two politicians to square up in public and ridicule each other from head to toe. But it is against our culture for a kgosi and politician to do the same in public.
The two belong to totally different tribes.
What is important is for either party to allow the other space from which to operate.
There is need for courtesy and respect for one another even as they differ.
That, in our view, is what is lacking.
That, in our view, is what should be restored.
