The orphan and the ants part 12- The house divided

We last left off with a disastrous raid by a large party of Bakwena on the Bangwaketse cattle posts at Gapeana, near modern Lobatse. In the aftermath of the debacle Tshosa’s son Moruakgomo led the survivors back to the principle Bakwena settlement at Mokgweng, south west of Molepolole

The elderly Bakwena kgosi Seitlhamo had not personally participated in the raid, while the role, if any, of his designated heir Legwale is unclear. What does emerge from the Sekwena accounts is that in the aftermath of the tragedy the conflict between Legwale and Tshosa intensified, with arguments over the allocation of cattle and other royal property.

Apparently over-eager to assert his own martial prowess and the fortunes of his morafe, Legwale then decided to undertake another cattle raiding expedition. According to Tebele he set out for the Banyayi-dominated lands to his north. But the raid ended in another tragedy with Legwale being killed in an apparent ambush in the vicinity of the Shoshong Hills.

Editor's Comment
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