The Orphan and the Ants Part 17 � Restoration

We left off with the Bangwato having paid ransom to the Makololo leader Sebetwane for the return of the Bakwena Prince Sechele. This followed Sebetwane’s attack on the Bakwena, that had resulted in the deaths of Moruakgomo and this father Tshosa.

In the aftermath of Makololo raid, it is said that those Bakwena who had not been captured or killed were now “scattered across the countryside like wild animals”. Most eventually regrouped into three factions. The BooRatshosa or “Bamakakana”, now under Bubi, who acted as regent for his nephew, Moruakgomo’s son Kgakge, eventually resettled at Dithejwane.

Another group under Kgame, a junior son of Legwale, moved east of the Madikwe River. Those still under Segokotlo returned to Lephephe, after skirmishing with the Bakaa. There Segokotlo was assassinated. His murderers, led by Ikafaleng Senese, took him to an ant bear hole where he was told that God (Modimo) was present. As he stuck his head into the hole to pray for locusts to feed his hungry people, an axe landed across his neck. The rest of his body was then pushed into the pit.

Editor's Comment
Closure as pain lingers

March 28 will go down as a day that Batswana will never forget because of the accident that occurred near Mmamatlakala in Limpopo, South Africa. The tragedy affected not only the grieving families but the nation at large. Batswana throughout the process stood behind the grieving families and the governments of Botswana and South Africa need much more than a pat on the back.Last Saturday was a day when family members said their last goodbyes to...

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