INKOSI NTSHINGANE ENTHRONED
•Takes over at Xhosa 2 Ward
Inkosi Moses Zwelinjani John David Ntshingane was unveiled to his people in a small cultural ceremony on Friday 3rd November 2023 in Xhosa 2 Kgotla, Mahalapye. Inkosi Zwelinjani Ntshingane takes over the seat that has been occupied by his elder brother, Benjamin Sipho John David Ntshingane, who has been elevated as Deputy Senior Tribal Authority (Mothusa Kgosi) at the main Mahalapye Kgotla.
This comes after Kgosi Duncan Segotsi who has been at the helm for 24 years as Senior Tribal Authority retired on account of old age in October this year. His deputy, Kgosi Tshipe France Tshipe, who is also Deputy Chairperson of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, representing Mahalapye Region, was then promoted to Senior Tribal Authority thereby creating a vacancy. Out of the 28 wards in Mahalapye, Kgosi Sipho Ntshingane of Xhosa 2 ward was then promoted to fill the vacancy created by Kgosi Tshipe, and Inkosi Moses Ntshingane was the natural choice to replace his brother at Xhosa ward.
Guests at the ceremony included Magosana from all over Mahalapye, as well as newly-appointed Mahalapye District Commissioner Ernest Phiri accompanied by senior government officers.
The chiefs included, Kgosi Ramaijane of Mowana ward; Kgosi Nyoka of Xhosa 1; Kgosi Noah from Flower Town; Kgosi Letsweletse Gaopalelwe of Mokubatse ward; Kgosi Rathipana of Bokaa ward; Kgosi Kgosi Maherero from Herero ward; Kgosi Ramodikeng of Konyana ward; Kgosi Toteng of Boseja ward; Kgosi Bele of Kanamo ward; Kgosi Motlogelwa of Tshikinyega ward, Kgosi Montwedi of Madiba ward, Kgosi Monang of Tlhomadithotse ward, Kgosi Keitseope of White City Kgosi Borumolano Tshipana of Mookane; and the uncle, Rasebolai Kgamane from Serowe. In fact the ceremony started a tad late on account of an emergency meeting that had been convened by DC Phiri at his offices to tell local authorities about President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s impending visit to the area. Giving a word of encouragement, the Guest Speaker, Chief of Xhosa people in Bikwe, Inkosi Nkgosiabo Ngcibisa, counselled Inkosi Ntshinhgane of the hefty nature of the role he was assuming, as he will be dealing with people of all different characters.
Some will bring disputes to him to resolve, while others will be gossip mongers and wish him to take sides but he should handle these with magnanimity ensuring at all costs that he observes the rule of natural justice.
In all these, Inkosi Ngcibisa advised Inkosi Ntshingane to rise above pettiness and to remain true to his calling as a unifier and head of Morafe. Inkosi Ngcibisa encouraged Inkosi Ntshingane’s elders to induct him properly, since in Xhosa tradition and culture, he should have been placed in the broad sunlight not under a shade, to bathe in the heat to signify the magnitude of the role he is assuming.
Inkosi Ngcibisa further encouraged Xhosa people of Mahalapye to get to know their counterparts in Bikwe, as well as to practice their culture, which among other things include, initiation ceremonies for males and females.
Ralegotla, Kwanele Julius Ntshingane gave a brief history of Bogosi jwa Xhosa ward from the time of Inkosi David Ntshingane, who was appointed by Bangwato Regent, Kgosi Tshekedi and was succeeded by his son, John David Ntshingane the father of Sipho, Anastasia, Robert and Moses Tshingane.
For their part, both Inkosi Benjamin Sipho Ntshingane and his younger brother, Moses expressed gratitude that the transition was smooth and cordial. Inkosi Moses Ntshinagne did not regard himself as Kgosi, saying he was merely his brother’s hand at the Kgotla. Other speakers included, Bothomo Village Development Committee Chairperson; a community representative; and Anastasia Mmabotho Matsheka-Ntshingane, the family representative as well as Ms. Baipoledi of SACCOS – all of whom described Ntshingane as a ‘people’s person’ and urged him to dedicate his life to God in order to serve his people diligently. The Legends – a musical band largely composed of former Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldiers who grew up in Mahalapye playing for the Breakers band and later joined BDF band - was at hand to spice the ceremony with beautiful music in honour of their friend, now Inkosi!