Friday last week marked a historic moment for the Basubiya tribe, as they gathered at the Kavimba Kgotla – their headquarters, where their tribal leader, Munitenge Lawrence Liswani Sinvula III had organised an appreciation ceremony.
Munitenge (Kgosikgolo) sought to appreciate Basubiya for their support dating back to 2012 when he attained the chieftaincy, and not in any way a celebration of the outcome of his court case with government as some had sought to put. The ceremony was not just for the Basubiya in Chobe, Namibia, Boteti and elsewhere in Botswana but other supporters of Basubiya.
The event, which was highly regarded – by one of the tribes that has kept its culture and traditions: including its respect, support and protection of its Munitenge – turned to be an appreciation of the culture, song and dance, attire and the good food shared during happier times.
The messages shared on the day were of unity among the tribe and support, respect and protection of the Munitenge. What came out clear was that the ongoing case between government and Munitenge Lawrence Liswani Sinvula III over the status of his chieftaincy as Kgosi Kgolo ya Basubiya has rattled the tribe to introspect deeper.
In fact, it was this court case that drew the tribe’s attention to the need for unity: understanding that united, the tribe stood stronger to defend and support its Munitenge, and its core existence. It was this support that was evident through out Munitenge’s court appearances at the Maun High Court.
Despite the distance, and challenges associated with travelling from Chobe to Maun – many of his subjects still supported him in court, with an even a larger crowd attending the judgement of the first leg of the case where he emerged victorious.
It was this show of support by Veekuhane during this difficult, time that Munitenge also found it opportune to appreciate them in a special way.
This was confirmed by Munitenge himself in his speech, – that was moved by the tribe’s support since he attained the throne to date. Munitenge who said the support during a time when the Basubiya chieftaincy was being challenged – was a clear indication that the tribe was aware of that which was at stake.
Munitenge reminded the tribe that the Chieftaincy and all that it stands for- belonged to Basubiya, further adding that, he as their Kgosikgolo is just their servant. Munitenge used the opportunity to preach unity among the tribe: highlighting that when united, and combing the various individual strengths and skills, the tribe cannot fail to achieve anything they set themselves to do.
In his speech, Munitenge called on his subjects to shun all that divides them and embrace that brings them together.
Meanwhile, Munitenge’s attorney in his case against government, Morupi Mbeha updated the tribe on the matter. Giving the background to a chase, which goes back to the time the applicant sought government through the ministry of local government and traditional affairs to align his salary to his position of Kgosikgolo of Basubiya.
He said thing took a twist when government refused, insisted that Munitenge was erroneously recognised as Kgosikgolo, when he should have been appointed as Kgosi of Kavimba village. This effectively meant government de-recognised him as Kgosikgolo of Basubiya on the basis that that status was accorded to tribes that have tribal authorities.
He explained that this prompted their application to the court to have the decision by the minister suspended, pending the review application. The applicant was victorious in the first application as the high court ordered that the decision by minister be suspended, and Munitenge to continue being recognised as such pending the review – a process he said would start this week and expected to take up to 6 months. Among those in attendance were the Chobe local authorities, representatives of Kgosi Maharero of the Ovambanderu, representatives from Namibia among others who came to witness the historic event.
