Mashi a Dikgomo tsa Kgosing

I’m not sure when exactly; but it must have been somewhere between the glory years of 1986 to 1990. Coming from a long day’s work, my dear mother always brought home a 2-litre glass-bottle, of the freshly sourced mashi, everyday. She bought the milk from Kgosi Bathoen (II) Seepapitso Gaseitsiwe’s homestead: I’m told he is the father to the then Bangwaketse Paramount Chief, Kgosi Seepapitso IV – conveniently located very close to her workplace. Bathoen II, the longest ruling Chief in the Protectorate; renounced the chieftainship in 1969 and was actively involved in the politics for over 30 years, as he was once an MP for Kanye (Masire, 2006; Botswanabeckons.com). ’’B2, as he was affectionately called by his tribesman championed developments in Ga-Ngwaketse during his reign’’ (dailynews.gov.bw).

The Kgosi is very central to the Batswana culture and plays a pivotal role between the Government and the community. Assisted by some selected, elderly male advisors; the Kgosi is the mediator, the judge, the dispenser of gifts and the ruler of his morafe (community). For example, he handles disputes such as petty thefts in his community; and he issues the “permission to get married”. Therefore, the Royal Kgotla is a traditional court of law. In addition, it is also a community meeting place, ”where people can express their concerns and even reject policies initiated by the Government” (Moumakwa, 2010).

We were happily told: ”the Kgosi’s cows had large, milky udders – and that some strong young men milked the dairy cows every day at dawn.” The Kgosi’s subsidised fresh milk was then sold at reasonable prices to the community at large: girls, boys, mothers, aunties, grandmothers, and fathers. The very fresh, richer and extra creamy “mashi a dikgomo tsa Kgosing” was always very delicious.

Long live Kgosi Bathoen II! Long live Son of Seepapitso III!