Kgafela�s order of silence
Lerato Maleke | Tuesday September 9, 2014 12:05
Each regimented mokgatla and those aligning themselves with the tribe will then, with a sombre face and in utter silence place a minimum P10 offering into a box marked for his or her regiment. Then each will eat, still in silence and walk out of the kgotla without uttering a word.
Mangana regiment secretary Kabelo Moswetsi passed the message to Bakgatla at a fully packed kgotla meeting in Mochudi over the weekend.
“Each box will be labelled with a mophato’s name and members will donate in their respective boxes.
There will also be a box for those who are willing to join bojale and bogwera in future and they should also donate from P10, upwards” said Moswetsi. He further said kgosi Kgafela ordered that two beasts should be slaughtered. Plenty of food should be prepared at the Kgotla so everyone can eat.
“ He has ordered that after having your food you should leave the Kgotla should’nt utter any word,” he said.
Moswetsi explained the intention by Kgafela was both to fundraise and see if mephato still respected and trusted his intentions. He warned Kgafela would be seriously noting if the ritual was performed.
“That is when he will determine whether to call mophato in 10 or 20 years” he said, as the tribe listened intently.
However, Moswetsi explained the P10 offering was only to be made by those who could afford it.
He also said Kgafela had also instructed members of the tribe to open a trust fund called Sedibelo fund where the tribe can freely make donations for development and also for printing more copies of book The King’s Journal. According to Moswetsi a total P300 000 is needed to produce more copies of the book. He urged every tribesman and woman should have a copy. Those who read and speak English should translate for those who do not.
Kgafela has also instructed the tribe to elect members of the tribe who will run the Sedibelo fund. Already Bakgatla have opened an account with Barclays Bank where money can be deposited. Moswe also informed the tribe that Kgafela missed them, but was keeping well. It has been three years since Kgafela took up residence in South Africa following misunderstandings with government.