Mr William Phetole Mokoto previously designated as the Senior Traditional Leader of the Balobedu Queenship following his visit to the Modjadji Royal Council at Khetlhakone.
In a dramatic turn of events, the constitutional legitimacy of Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII’s newly established Balobedu Queen’s Council has been thrown into disarray. The Modjadji Royal Family and Council announced plans to legally challenge the council’s framework, calling it a “parallel campaign” orchestrated by outsiders, notably Prof. Mathole Motshekga, and demanding its dissolution. The crisis deepened on Wednesday 12 February, when Senior Traditional Leader-designate William Phetole Mokoto publicly withdrew from the race, disavowing ties to Motshekga’s faction in a surprise meeting with the Modjadji Traditional Council.
The factional battle has intensified with the abrupt dismissal of Gabriel Rasebotsa, the long-serving Secretary-General of the Balobedu Royal Council.
The turmoil has sidelined the Dikhadi, a revered group of women traditionally tasked with diplomatic and ceremonial duties in the Rain Queen’s court. Historically, these women served as symbolic “wives” to the queen, ensuring loyalty across villages through ritualized alliances.
Plans to construct the Maolwe Royal Court, a symbolic seat of power for Queen Masalanabo, now hang in the balance. The project, intended to centralize governance and revive cultural heritage, faces delays due to funding disputes and legal challenges over land rights. Mokoto’s withdrawal as Senior Traditional Leader—a key advocate for the court—has further destabilized efforts, leaving the initiative mired in uncertainty.
Mr. Mokoto, previously endorsed by the the Balobedu Royal Council as the Senior Traditional Leader, stunned observers by renouncing his role. During an urgent meeting with His Majesty Bakhoma Mpapatla Modjadji and the Modjadji Royal Council (MRC) Executive Committee, Mokoto confessed: He was unaware of Motshekga’s “parallel campaign” conflicting with the Royal Family’s authority; He regretted signing documents linked to Motshekga’s initiatives, calling them “misguided.”; He denied knowledge of his designation as Senior Traditional Leader, despite prior Royal Council ratification and he pledged to block Motshekga-aligned gatherings in Maolwe Village, vowing loyalty to the Royal Family.
The fallout threatens Queen Masalanabo’s vision of unifying Balobedu through education, agriculture, and cultural preservation. While her coronation is slated for August 2025, the Royal Family’s legal challenge and Mokoto’s defection expose deepening rifts. Critics argue that Motshekga’s influence—long contested by Bakhoma Mpapatla Modjadji, the late queen’s brother—has politicized the monarchy.
The Royal Family’s court case to nullify the Queen’s Council is pending. Coronation preparations continue amid uncertainty, with the government yet to finalize the date.
Phetole Mokoto attended the meeting with the Modjadji Royal Council in Khetlhakone, accompanied by his nephews.