The Orphan And The Ants Part 8 � The Sons Mathiba

This event occurred sometime in the mid-late 18th (c. 1770) during the reigns of Kgosi Mathiba of Bangwato and his once mentor, Kgosi Motswasele I of Bakwena bagaKgabo

Historically, the hill site of the skirmish has at least three names - i.e. Ngwaritse and Boswelakgosi as well as Kope. The oldest of the three is Ngwaritse, which survives as a common reference in Sengwato accounts. Kope refers to a historic figure, rendered Kgopa or Kgope, who is otherwise remembered as having been a senior Mongwato Kgosana and principal backer of Mathiba. It is said that it was Kgope who took the lead in bringing Mathiba back to the Bangwato after his years of residence among the Bakwena.