Matsosakgabo Women Graduate

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Monday August 23, 2010 00:00

 

The women's regiment, crowned Matsosakgabo comprising 1,440 women graduated to an essential chapter of life-womanhood, as per the Sekgatla tradition, last Saturday.

The Mochudi main Kgotla is filled to the brim. Bakgatla from all corners of Botswana and Moruleng in South Africa, together with other Batswana tribes are present as well. Also in attendance are people of Caucasian descent.

Praise poems are in the offing. Showers of praise are ushered to the Kgosikgolo-Kgafela. One man, proficient with words speaks of how Kgafela has brought good manners to the village and that now people can even leave their houses unlocked.

Old and young women talk delightedly about their culture. Young people share the same enthusiasm as grown-ups in welcoming the new regiment. One young woman, who introduces herself as a member of the pioneering women regiment under Kgafela, prides herself as a mature and responsible woman after going through this ritual. She assumes the role of a teacher as she answers questions posed by those new to this event which is high in the Kgatleng calender.

'Visitors please feel free while here,' he says.

Meanwhile people have their eyes on the road and complain that the regiment is taking what seems like eternity to show up. Abruptly, older tribeswomen appear in style-carrying twigs, dancing and drumming. Dressed in traditional outfits, they beautifully perform their well-known folk songs as the regiment sneaks into the twig made kraal. They wait inside until the Kgosi and his senior men come over to check on them and name them, amidst an ululation-filled atmosphere.

Arranged in tribal lineage, graduates make their way outside the temporary kraal one after the other, as they sit in an arena specially reserved for them. After this Kgafela speaks at length about the revival of culture and its significance in his people's socioeconomic development hence the name; 'Matsosakgabo'.

He says people without culture are synonymous to life without light as nothing leads them in the right direction. In a spirit-filled deliberation, which rather sounds parabolic, he urges his people to embrace their culture as it has rich elements of unification and togetherness compared to individuality. He emphasis that united, the tribe can achieve anything. He encourages women to wake up and aim for the best in their daily lives.

'As regiments you should know that it is a responsibility to serve your people,' he says.

He stresses that tribesmen should see to it that they place the interest of their tribe before everything. He says instead of assimilating other nations 'ways of doing things, they should first love and live theirs as there are useful aspects to it that mould them into a people with focus and direction.'

The graduation ceremony is graced by other royals from Kweneng, Ngwaketse, area member of parliament, Isaac Mabiletsa-also a Mokgatla, Bakgatla authority in South Africa, Nyalala Pilane, and Kgosi Mosielele, a Mokgatla from Moshupa among others.

Since he became head of the royal house, Kgafela's leadership has made media headlines for among other issues, the infamous floggings. However, he says it is people who want to see his tribe disintegrate and proliferate the spirit of individuality opposed to togetherness.