General Protocol Summary:

When inviting Kgosikgolo to the event the organizer needs to ensure that the following protocol is observed at all times, the failure to ensure adherence to the protocol is considered a serious transgression and may attract a fine from the Royal Council.

• On arrival Kgosikgolo must be met at the parking by the main host, who is accompanied by two or more people.
• Kgosikgolo is not to be touched or hugged. No shaking of His Majesty’s hand unless he extends his hand first.
• No gifts should be handed to Kgosikgolo directly, anything is to be given to the close protection officer escorting him.
• Everyone should be seated by the time Kgosikgolo and his entourage are escorted into the venue. All men must stand up when Kgosikgolo enters the venue.
• The Praise Singer announces the entry of Kgosikgolo, his entourage, and the Queen consort
  Kgosikgolo walks in front bordered by his host and security on either side, followed by the royal family members and then everyone.
  The Praise Singer walks at least a meter ahead of Kgosikgolo.
• Kgosikgolo is the last to be ushered into the venue and is the first to leave.
• Walking about is not permitted when the Praise Singer recites.
• Kgosikgolo sits on the right hand of the host or most senior official.
• If Kgosikgolo is traveling with Kgosikgadi, she sits next to him on his right, in her absence the female Royal member accompanying Kgosikgolo will sit next to Kgosikgolo.
• When the broader royal family is part of a procession, they typically enter and are seated in order of who’s next in line for the throne.
• It is not permitted to refer to Kgosikgolo by his first name.
• The wife of Kgosikgolo is addressed as Kgosikgadi, not the wife.
• People sitting closer to Kgosikgolo are not allowed to sit with their backs to him.
• On presentation to Kgosikgolo, the correct formal address is ‘Your Majesty’ and subsequently Kgosikgolo.
• For male members of the Royal Family, the same rules apply, with the title used in the first instance being ‘Your Royal Highness’ and subsequently ‘Sir/Prince’.
• For female members of the Royal Family, the first address is conventional ‘Your Royal Highness’ and subsequently ‘Ma’am’/Princess.
• Two direct heirs to the throne must take separate cars, flights, etc. when traveling — a failsafe in case something tragic happens on-route.
• The Royals are expected to remain politically neutral at all times. This includes refraining from voting in elections.
• It’s a long-standing Royal tradition that the women in the royal family always wear hats/scarves/doek on their heads to events.
• Official gifts should be acknowledged wherever possible, recorded, and traceable at all times.
• Kgosikgolo is accompanied by the CPO and a member of the entourage all the time he leaves the venue.

Arrival

His Majesty, Kgosikgolo Lehasa II is the reigning King of Makgolokwe-a-Mafehleng.

• On arrival, His Majesty should be met at the parking of the venue by the host, accompanied by one or two people.
• In welcoming His Majesty, one should not extend one’s hand first. His Majesty will extend his hand; His Majesty may not be touched or hugged;
• At the time of His Majesty’s arrival at an event/function, all guests should already be seated;
• A Praise Singer will announce the arrival of His Majesty, his entourage, and hosts. His Majesty walks in front, flanked by his host and security. The Praise Singer will walk about one meter ahead of the Kgosikgolo. Guests stand when His Majesty enters the venue;
• Once His Majesty has taken his seat, all the women present may be seated. Men remain standing until the Praise Singer hails the Kgosikgolo;
• It should be noted that His Majesty, Kgosikgolo is the last (except for the State President) to be ushered into a venue and is to be the first to leave. This, therefore, requires the provision of a ‘holding area’ to allow for the smooth observance of this protocol, especially if a meal is involved;
• Guests should not walk in, out, or around a venue while the Praise Singer recites.

Seating

• His Majesty will always be seated on the right side of the host;
• Should a Queen Consort be attending a function / event with His Majesty, she is to be seated beside him on his right side.

Addressing His Majesty

• His Majesty, may be addressed as follows:
  – His Royal Majesty;- His Majesty;- Kgosikgolo; – Motlotlehi;- Morena e Moholo; – Sebata sa Mohlakeng; Sebata sa Thaba Nthoro; Tau ya Mafehleng

• It is forbidden to refer to His Majesty, by his first name or names;
• The term ‘Royal Highness’ is commonly used when referring to the Queen consorts and other members of the Royal Family.

Praise singing

• The sequence involved in terms of hailing Kgosikgolo is as follows: Phuthi!
• Phuthi!
• Pula!

• The Praise Singer will lead the sequence and the audience will repeat the same sequence;
• Every speaker doesn’t need to hail Kgosikgolo using this sequence; one may address Kgosikgolo as His Majesty, or through the usage of one of the following terms; His Majesty, Kgosikgolo, Motlotlehi, Morena e Moholo, Sebata sa Mohlakeng, Sebata sa Thabana Nthoro;
• One should address the Queen consorts as ‘Her Royal Highness’ or ‘Kgosikgadi’;
• One should refer to the ‘Queens consorts’ or, in Sekgolokwe ‘Kgosikgadi’, and not ‘the King’s wife’;

Decoration and Seating

• When decorating a venue or compiling a seating plan, the following should be observed:
  • Black cloth draping may not be used at the table His Majesty seats; The royal colours comprise Royal Blue, green, and gold;
  • Guests seated closest to Kgosikgolo within a venue may not be positioned such that their backs are to His Majesty.

Proceedings and His Majesty’s Participation

• An especially selected individual invites His Majesty to the podium after having briefly presented Kgosikgolo to the audience/guests;
• Kgosikgolo should be invited to deliver his address towards the end of the programme. No other speakers should follow His Majesty once he has spoken, except for the individual tasked with delivering a Vote of Thanks, or the making of announcements.

Eating

• No photographs may be taken while Kgosikgolo is eating;
• Kgosikgolo should not be disturbed during a meal;
• Guests sharing Kgosikgolo’s table should not move from their seats while His Majesty is eating;
• Guests sharing Kgosikgolo’s table may not leave the venue until after His Majesty has departed.

Diners and Lunch

• Entrance into the dining room goes according to who will be crowned next, His Majesty enters first.
• His Majesty’s food is prepared in the presence of his personal aide, who will taste the food before His Majesty eats.

General Contact

• It is not permitted to touch or hug His Majesty;
• The seats adjacent to His Majesty within a venue must always be occupied. Should the Host move to the podium, the next person should move into the vacated seat nearest Kgosikgolo;
• The Host will communicate any programme / procedural changes/amendments to the designated official and not to His Majesty, Kgosikgolo;
• His Majesty may not be asked any questions about his children or the Queens.

Interviews

• It is not generally permitted to conduct interviews with His Majesty, Kgosikgolo;
• Kgosikgolo’s address will be made available to members of the media who may not be able to record His Majesty while he addresses the audience.