Those who know me closely used to warn me: “Kana Monna Thabo, o tla nyelela. Ba tla go tsenya monoso ba go phampamolla like Kalafatis. A waitse tota!!
Even Post Ian Khama’s Presidency I still get these. There is so much moral panic, and one wonders if at all Ian has blood in his hands. This piece dear reader, however, should not touch a nerve. Nonetheless, those of you who are peeved by the article can go to palama o kue in Serowe hold night vigil prayers for deliverance.
This Friday the 4th February 2022 there was a Kgotla meeting in Serowe whose agenda was basically just to talk about nothing. A series of these meetings have been held at the Serowe Kgotla previously which is now playing out to be a breeding ground for disrespect to the Botswana nation state and Batswana in general. Instead of pleading with their Kgosi to retire peacefully and to return home from his hideout plan and they start having conversations on heir to his throne and their Kingdom, Bangwato chose to spew tribalistic nuances as if Presidency belongs to them. Mongwe yo o ba a keditseng o sule a kgoname one commentator on social media recently stated.
On the 3rd February 2019, I penned an article titled “Post Presidential Depression: The case of Ian Khama”. In that article I referred to the old adage that says:
“It is only when the mosquito lands on your testicles, that you realise that there is always a way to solve problems without using violence”. At the Friday 4th February 2022, Bangwato were at it again, ka go pantsolela ko Kgotleng ya Serowe. Just like in their previous Kgotla meetings go ne go sena mogolo go sena ngwana and now they are threatening to secede as if Botswana belongs to Serowe. Outright disgust.
Political vigilantism and machismo have become a part of our body politic. We have become a nation whose citizens no longer care for one another. A desperate attempt has been made to sow seeds of discord along geographical divide and ethnic bigotry is being promoted under false pretenses by some irresponsible, egocentric and self-centred individuals or an individual who just can’t let go. Bangwato have become Feudal Lords and are just in denial, they behave as if the Presidency in Botswana belongs to them.
Clearly what is happening in Botswana is very worrisome as the spirit of Botho is being eroded just by a self-serving mafia like monk who presents himself as a Me Nice, playing victim while the opposite is true. So many mind-boggling and bizarre things are happening within the country which demands a pause and reflection as the nation traverses the crossroads. Joining this thuggery are the desperate opposition political parties who are now flirting with Ian the fugitive Ngwato royal who have now been given a mandate by his tribe to be on the run and hideout.
In 2018 just two days before Christmas, Ian appeared at the Bangwato Kgotla, occupying top table with Mma Venson and the regent Sediegeng. It was just a mockery with the royal uncles seated right behind Mma Venson an outright shame to Ngwato culture and custom if at all there is any. At the Friday meeting, Tshekedi Khama was seated next to Rre Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo.
Ian Khama’s behaviour which is in fact a mixture of ruthless self-interest and poisonous rhetoric supported by his praise poets and members of KFC (Khama Fan Club) is a national embarrassment. He has been reckless and is now mobilising historical Ngwato subjects go pantsola and go tlhoka botho. Ba ba bona e le meratshwana only good to be used as shields and bouncers good for nothing to fuel tribal bigotry.
Tshetlha and some of his subjects unfortunately just can’t come to terms with the fact that it is over, that his term has come to an end and must just allow Sissy Boy to rule and govern without any form of harassment from him. A lot of ethnic bigotry and diatribe has been on going at these Serowe meetings. The meetings are not only reckless but rather out right shame. Ke kwa Mmapereko, go buiwa jo rata, as one old lady once remarked at one of these meetings.
“Mme hela, Seretse o re bolaile ka go isa botlhale go buisa Kgatleng. O tsere lehura a le isa South”. Nonsensical.
On the 4th May 2019, the political rally that was addressed by Ian Khama in Serowe was more than revealing. It showed and demonstrated an element of disrespect to the Botswana nation state. The meeting was held under false pretence, lies, arrogance, pomposity and deceit. The Watchdog even reported that a lot of tribal breast-beating, tribal bigotry all of it mixed within unhidden tribal nostalgia went on at that meeting. At the 4th May 2019 political rally Ian addressed, this is what he had to say:
“I am really shocked o dira motho President and he turns against you”
“O bata go re twaela,” said Khama accusing President Mokgweetsi Masisi of sabotage at one of the recent political rallies he addressed in Serowe to Bangwato and BaGa Mmangwato and on May 25th, 2019, political rally Kgosi Kgolo Khama IV finally dropped a bomb shell by telling his followers that he was resigning from BDP.
At that political rally Kgosi Khama IV did not behave and conduct himself like a King. His mannerisms as well as that of other speakers resembled one that is often seen at a taxi rank, fast forward to the 4th February 2022, Bangwato are it again and now want to secede.
What is evident at these Serowe political rallies and Kgotla meetings is that ethnic bigotry and diatribe is being tolerated and promoted. No one amongst the elders at these political rallies and Kgotla meetings stood up to call the speakers to order.
Setswana society expects and requires its members to have “botho” which is derived from “Motho” (a human being). Botho refers to the possession of the good attributes associated with a good human being. Botho describes a latent consciousness that one’s own sense of humanity is deeply rooted in the humanity of others in the community, whom we traditionally considered our extended family.
Kgosi Kgolo Khama IV is using the ethnic card to undermine the incumbent President which could be a recipe for disaster. He behaves as if Botswana belongs to Bangwato and as his personal fiefdom. He thinks his father made Botswana what it is. That is just a wishful thinking.
What Khama and Baga Mmaangwato must know is that historical records and documents clearly show that long before Khama returned to Botswana to form the BDP with his counterparts all other major tribes including Ghanzi, Chobe and Francistown participated in the African Advisory Council (ADC) which looked into the development of Bechuanaland. Infact Seretse Khama was also made what he is by Rre Goareng Mosinyi from Shoshong, historical records and the literature attest to this.
It is also very important for Ian and Bangwato to note that despite the undertaking that was made by Seretse in the 1950s that they were abdicating chieftaincy of Bangwato for themselves and their children, Seretse infect abused his powers and went against this undertaking by installing his son as the King. It is also important for Bangwato and Ian to note that different Tswana tribes participated and negotiated for Seretse’s return from his exile (Hansard Deb3, November 1955, Vol 545 cc 1179-81).
It is therefore very disrespectful for Ian and Bangwato to think that Seretse alone made Botswana what it is. The road to Botswana’s independence can be traced to the early 1960’s with the passing of Bechuanaland Protectorate Constitution orders of 1961, 1963 and the Bechuanaland Royal Institutions 1963. The 1961 constitution was announced through white paper on 15th September 1960. The 1963 draft constitution became the basis for the 1965 general elections. After the elections the task negotiating the constitution leading to independence fell on the parties representing the Legislative Assembly, the Dikgosi and the European and Asian representation.
As to whether Ian Khama is interested about being Kgosi Kgolo of Bangwato le meratshwana ya Bangwato the answer is a straightforward NO. Bangwato and Baga Mmangwato must stop being in denial. He is not interested and will never serve as their King. As to whether he will ever come back to Botswana, the Gods will be crazy. Infact the State must STOP treating Ian like a toddler and must stop pampering Bangwato, they must derecognise Ian as a matter of urgency and strip him off his Presidential benefits accordingly.
By Thabo Lucas Seleke, Ph.D Candidate, London, UK
