Kgosi Tawana Moremi II’s return to his royal duties this Friday is expected to be a joyful affair with plans for a big feast underway at Maun main Kgotla.
The Batawana paramount chief resumed duty last month following a twenty-year long break from chieftaincy.
On April 3rd the Maun community held a mini welcome ceremony for their chief where the date for the main celebration was decided.
In an invitation to communities in and around Maun to join the celebration, the tribal regiment- Matsaakgang, indicated that the ceremony will also serve to honour the recent past Batawana Regent, Princess Kealetile Moremi for standing in for Kgosi Tawana II while he was still in politics.
“The night before the celebration, that is, Thursday, the paramount chief along with village elders, royal uncles, Basimane-ba-kgosi and the regiment, will spend a night at the kgotla catching up on history, roots, culture and traditions of Batawana and Ngamiland,” explained Matsaakgang spokesperson, Douglas Mokenane who further explained that the men will use the time to update the paramount chief on matters concerning chieftaincy and the community.
“It is a strictly male affair,” added Mokenane.
Moremi II was installed as Batawana paramount chief back in 1995 but left to join active politics in 2003.
He won Maun West constituency under the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in 2009.
Two years later in 2011 he crossed the floor to join opposition politics under Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) which he helped win the same Maun West constituency in 2014.
However he quit politics at the end of the election term ended October 2019 and his community has since expressed gratitude over his return to his rightful throne and for the smooth transition as his elder sister stepped down without hesitation.
Currently Kgosi Kealetile is the Commissioner of gender in the North West region and she noted in a ceremony organised by Batawana women on Mother’s day in Maun that despite chieftaincy being traditionally a preserve for men, when she held the fort from 2003, the tribal men supported her and were always willing to give advice and guidance where needed.
“I was hesitant and feared I would fail, but they assured me of their support. I am truly grateful and humbled by your love and support as well,” noted Kealetile.
