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Royal Tradition
PROFILE OF KGOSI LERUO MOLOTLEGI
Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi is the leader of the 300 000 strong Royal Bafokeng Nation based in Phokeng in the North West Province of South Africa. He is the 36th King of the Bafokeng and the 15th direct descendent of a long lineage of the Bafokeng kings.
Under the leadership of Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, the Royal Bafokeng Supreme Council has embarked on a mission of providing the Bafokeng Community with all basic human needs to provide continued promotion of respect and enhancement of Bafokeng culture and economic self-sufficiency.
Based on this premise, the Royal Bafokeng, Supreme Council and Kgosi have a vision: "To develop themselves to be a self-sufficient community by the second decade of the 21st Century.
The kgosi has three siblings, two sisters and one brother. Kgosi Leruo is a former member of the Implats board, the world second largest platinum producer and now sits in the newly established Royal Bafokeng Resources (RBR) as a non-Executive Director. RBR is a wholly owned Bafokeng company. Kgosi is also the President of the Mineral Rights Association of Indigenous People of South Africa and was one of the principal negotiators in the new mining legislation, which seeks to encourage significant black participation.
Kgosi Molotlegi is an alumnus of Hilton College in Natal, South Africa. He holds a university degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from Natal University.
The Kgosi is a keen sportsman and was awarded a Victor Ludorum Gold Medallion at Hilton. He is a fixed wing and rotorcraft pilot and has been appointed as an Honorary Colonel in the South African Air Force.
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PROFILES OF THE KINGS
Mokwaro George Molotlegi (1936 to 1997) was the brother of Kgosi Edward Patrick Lebone Molotlegi who ruled the Bafokeng from 1988 to 1994. During his reign, South Africa's ruling National Party had created the Bophuthatswana government as the authority over all Tswana people, including the Bafokeng. Kgosi Lebone's opposition to the move brought him into conflict with the then Bophuthatswana "president", Lucas Mangope, who detained the Bafokeng king and harassed him until he was forced to flee to neighbouring Botswana.
Mangope then recognised Mokwaro George Molotlegi as Kgosi of the Bafokeng. This situation prevailed until 1994 when Mangope was forced out of power as South Africa entered its dramatic transition from apartheid to democracy.
This enabled Kgosi Lebone to return to Phokeng and to once again lead his people. His return was marked by tumultuous celebrations, but they were short lived. The ailing Kgosi Lebone passed away in November 1995. The would-be Kgosi Mokwaro George Molotlegi returned to his home in the area and remained there until his death in December 1997. The grave of Nkolomane Mzelikaze (more commonly spelled Mzilikazi). Nkolomane was the son of the Zulu warrior, Mzilikazi, who challenged the might of the legendary Zulu king, Chaka, and was forced to flee, gathering supporters as he moved inland and finally subjugating the Bafokeng and surrounding tribes in the 1820s.
He was defeated by white settlers, known as the Boers, with the support of the Bafokeng and other peoples. He fled to what is now known as southern Zimbabwe where he built the Matabele nation.
Nkolomane stayed on in Phokeng where he was buried in August 1883. His lone grave can be found in a residential area in Phokeng and is clearly sign-posted from the town's main street.
The inscription on the grave reads simply: The King of Madebele Nkolomane Mzelikaze died 1883 August 21.
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Kgosi Mokgatle
Morwa wa Kgosi Thete
O busitse ka 1834 - 1891 |
Kgosi Tumagole
Morwa wa Kgosi Mokgatle
O busitse ka 1891 - 1896
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Kgosi Molotlegi
Morwa wa Kgosi Tumagole
O busitse ka 1896 - 1938
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Kgosi Manotshe Molotlegi
Morwa wa Kgosi Molotlegi
O busitse ka 1938 - 1956
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Kgosi Edward Lebone
Morwa wa Kgosi Manotshe Molotlegi
O busitse ka 1956 - 1995 |
Kgosi Mollwane Boikanyo Molotlegi
Morwa wa Kgosi Lebone Molotlegi
O busitse ka 1995 - 2000 |
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