Kgafela II rejects Khama, Mswati 

Bakgatla paramount chief, Kgosi Kgafela II has rejected an offer extended to him by former President Ian Khama on behalf of King Mswati III of   the Kingdom of Eswatini to serve as external special advisors to the Ludzidzini Royal Council, The Patriot on Sunday has learnt. Ludzidzini Royal Council is a recognised traditional structure in the government that plays an advisory role to King Mswati III and the royal family with its members appointed by King Mswati III. Information gathered by this publication is that Khama, who is targeted to be an advisor to the council also approached Kgafela II to become part of the council, but Kgafela II turned down the offer. Sources said Mswati III would have loved to have Khama and Kgafela II as senior advisors of the council. 

“Kgafela and Khama meet often in South Africa to discuss issues in Botswana, particularly around bogosi. Khama approached Kgafela to accompany him whenever he travels to Eswatini at the invitation of Mswati, but Kgafela has been reluctant to join him,” said an impeccable source close to Kgafela II and the Bakgatla royal family. 

Khama has, in the past, confirmed that he meets up with Kgafela in South Africa to discuss a number of issues including bogosi. According to the source, Kgafela told Khama that for him to accept Mswati’s offer to be an advisor to the Royal Council, he should first consult the royal family and Bakgatla both in Moruleng and Mochudi. 

Both Khama and Kgafela II are fugitives living in South Africa after escaping criminal charges laid against them by government of Botswana. Contacted for a comment on Friday, Khama briefly said it is not true that he had approached Kgafela II for the Ludzidzini Royal Council special advisor role and denied claims that he is involved in any advisory role to King Mswati III and government bodies. 

Power 

Political analyst, Kitso Morekisi said Khama and Kgafela II as paramount chiefs of Bangwato and Bakgatla are feeling isolated by being away from home, but Khama is trying to remain relevant and gain power. He said Kgafela II although being not in Mochudi, he still command power in his tribe at Moruleng as compared to Khama who is finding it difficult to regain control of Bangwato as government is blocking his attempt to have his preferred regent Seretse Peter Khama being appointed to replaces Kgosi Serogola Seretse. 

“Kgafela II is still in charge of Bakgatla and his royal duties. He would not see it as important to frequent Eswatini or strike an alliance with Mswati III. Khama would fight by everything to ensure that his choice to be a regent is appointed more so that he doesn’t command Kgosi Serogola, and their relationship has broken irretrievably,” said Morekisi. 

Both Khama and Kgafela II are fugitives living in South Africa after escaping criminal charges laid against them by government of Botswana. Khama fled the country in 2021 citing that his life is in danger and has been regularly visiting Eswatini to attend and officiate at the government activities at the invitations of Mswati III. 

Kgafela II who has been in South Africa since had a fallout with the then Ian Khama administration, which de-recognised him as Bakgatla Kgosi after he refused to join Ntlo ya Dikgosi and become a civil servant under Bogosi Act. In October 2011, government took the decision to invoke provisions of Section 15 (b) of the Bogosi Act Chapter 41:01, in the public interest, to de-recognise Kgosi Kgafela II of Bakgatla with immediate effect. 

However, both have recently hinted their intentions to return home and Khama has told Bangwato during a meeting during Sir Seretse Khama commemoration earlier this month that he intends to return before elections. 

Kgafela II on the other hand informed Bakgatla during the official opening of Mochudi main Kgotla in two months ago that he would return to Botswana in 2030, emphasizing that he would still fight for Kgatleng District to become an independent state with its own constitution.