Seeletso reappointment irks Mmadinare
Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday August 25, 2017 16:29
Members of the community that thronged a Kgotla meeting addressed by Kgosi Mokhutshwane Sekgoma on Tuesday rejected the decision to appoint Seeletso to continue acting in the position until October next year when the rightful heir assumes his seat.
Seeletso retired in 2014 as Mmadinare Kgosi to give way to the rightful heir, Mphoeng Mphoeng, who is still pursuing his studies. However, a fortnight ago, Mmadinare tribal leadership was summoned to Serowe where they were informed of the decision taken by Bamangwato Regent, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane, that Seeletso is to continue acting until next year. Their main concern is that Seeletso had not worked well with them for all the years he was leading them and they wondered why Kgosi Maureen Mphoeng, who is a Mmadinare resident, could not be appointed to fill the vacancy.
The position has been vacant since the departure of Seeletso and now Bamangwato Tribal Authority is under pressure to fill the position lest it is struck out.
It is evident that the delegation that went to Serowe also rejected the decision. During a heated kgotla meeting on Tuesday morning, the morafe said they suspect the Bamangwato Tribal Authority is orchestrating Seeletso’s continued stay of employment, and if that is not the case, then they should look at one of the Kgotlas in Serowe, not in Mmadinare to put the matter to rest.
Joel Motshegwa said the community is now wiser and therefore cannot dance to any decision made without questioning it.
“I was among the delegation that went to Serowe. We were not allowed to say even a word and we were not happy that we left without any of our voices heard. We made it clear that we are against the decision because it was not consultation, but a decision imposed on us. We strongly object to the decision on Seeletso and I am wondering how he will work with such an angry community,” Kgosi Thatayaone Marumo said.
Another member of the delegation, Gothatamang Motswetla said they were only called to rubber-stamp a decision that was already taken.
“We even asked whether it would be possible to request for extension of vacancy for the period until Mphoeng completes his studies, but we were not given the answer. Ga re a dumalana le tshwetso, and we are ready to take this issue further,” he said.
Kealeboga Maswabi also dismissed the decision and said it was improper for Kgosi Kgamane to have left the position vacant since 2014 and said as morafe they have accepted the heir’s decision that his mother, Maureen Mphoeng will hold the fort and the community wants her (Mma Mphoeng), not Seeletso.
“Seeletso o ne a sa bereke sentle le Mma Mphoeng gape o ne a sena morero. What is there in Seeletso that is not there in Mma Mphoeng? Go back to Serowe. We will inform you who we want as morafe,” Maatso Bogosing said.
One resident also asked if they could nullify the powers vested in Kgosi Kgamane by law and wanted to know if a public opinion can supercede Kgamane’s powers.
“Today we are putting a stop to the tendency by Bamangwato to impose decisions on us. It is upon us to appoint who acts for Mphoeng and we are fine with his mother,” one resident said.
Sekgoma had earlier said that they were waiting for Mphoeng to complete his studies and ascend to his position and noted that it was too early for Seeletso to have retired before Mphoeng returns. He said Mphoeng is on study leave and he is in the establishment.
He explained that Mphoeng’s position is vacant and has to be filled in the meantime through appointment because administratively it cannot be filled on acting capacity for too long.
“We consulted with the tribal leadership from Mmadinare and the Mphoeng family and we agreed that Kgosi Kgamane should (use his powers to) fill the position. This does not affect any other position in anyway and we are not ousting Mphoeng from his rightful position. Re bua tsamaiso,” he said.
His words thatp Seeletso is reinstated temporarily to the position was greeted with murmurs of disapproval from the morafe. But he emphasised that the responsibility of filling the position is an administrative issue that does not need the approval of morafe.
“Consultation does not necessarily mean consent. We have run out of answers as to why the position has been vacant for too long, but administratively the power to appoint is vested in Kgamane,” he said.
After getting the position of the morafe on the matter, Sekgoma said his assignment was all about the position that needs to be filled, not the Mmadinare chieftaincy. “Ke bua tsamaiso ya moemela kgosi e seng ya go tlhopha kgosi. Ke tlisitse thomo mme ke tla boa ke tlisa phetolo. Ga ke a tla go bua ka mathata a Mmadinare,” he said.