At the moment, the people of Tonota are making preparations for centenary celebrations of the rich history and culture associated with the people of Tonota. This article attempts to trace the origins of the Bakhurutshe of Tonota and show their diverse settlement history leading to the establishment of Tonota village in 1913. The accounts provided here rely on oral traditions collected in the 1960s by Professor Isaac Schapera and James Mpotokwane.
The present day Bakhurutshe people of Botswana are found in different parts of the country. According to Schapera writings, the most senior group is found at Tonota in the Central District while other large groups are in the North East District such as in Makaleng and in the environs of the Boteti River. Other groups are found among Bangwato at Serowe, the Batawana in the North West, Bakgatla and Bangwaketse in the south. Oral traditions suggest that all these people were at one point under the rule of one chief and that they broke away from the Hurutshe who are now living at Maanwane in the Transvaal area of South Africa.
