Kgafela II Draped King

By Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe
Staff Writer | Monday September 22, 2008 00:00

 

The latest coronation of Kgafela II attracted, among others, Patrice Motsepe, one of two African billionaires. He attended as a member of the royal family from Bafokeng.

Bakgatla of all kinds from South Africa also came in droves with their diKgosi - Makapan leading his Bakgatla of Mosetlhe, Nyalala Pilane of Bakgatla from Moruleng, Motsepe of Bakgatla of Hammanskraal, Molotlegi of Bafokeng, Lucas Mangope of Bahurutshe, Suping of Bahurutshe of Suping, Gopane of Bahurutshi of Gopane, Kgosi Sekukuni of the Pedi, as well as a visiting South African Minister, France Vilakazi.

With more than 14 buses loaded with visiting South Africans, who came to witness the coronation, the event was as much a South African affair, as it was local.

No tribal leader from Botswana spoke, while Kgosi Makapan and Nyalala took to the podium.

Interestingly, the South African Bakgatla were also seen coordinating the event along with their Botswana counterparts, to celebrate their unity.

The Botswana Bakgatla excited the crowd with their regimental songs performed by men and women regiments. It was the women regiment though which looked more impressive. They were in uniform. They outnumbered their male counterparts and sang while waving palm leaves carrying traditional pots on their heads.

The Bakgatla regiments and their songs have become something of a national pride in a country where tribal regiments have almost gone extinct.

While multitudes turned up for arguably the biggest day in Kgatla history, the heat spoilt the party. It was common to hear the master of ceremonies announcing to the first aid team to rush and attend to members of the crowd who collapsed under the scorching heat.

Finally, the moment of reckoning arrived. Kgosi Mothibe, followed by President Ian Khama, paramount chief of the Bangwato, and Kgosi Nyalala of Bakgatla of Moruleng, draped Kgosi Kgafela II in the leopard skin to loud cheers and ululations from the crowd.

Regimental song and dance, poetry, and Zion Christain Church (ZCC) performances followed the coronation, before food and drink festivals began. Over P500,000 was raised for the festivities, while nine goats and 27 cattle were also contributed by the tribesmen from South Africa and Botswana.