The massive turn-out came a week after Kgafela II presided over another record breaking attendance of bojale (female initiation practise) by Bakgatla women. Before the initiation rituals were abandoned 20 years ago, the highest number recorded was around 1,200. Last Saturday, a multitude of initiates from Kgatleng District gathered outside Mochudi at a place called Motlhware, before taking the estimated 50km walk on a dusty road northward to a place called Mmakgomo for an overnight stop. Among them was Kgafela II's eldest son and future paramount chief, Matshego.
As per Bakgatla tradition, the conscripts wore shorts and put on shoes without socks. Their cell phones were taken from them and switched off so that they are not tempted to use the latest technology and transmit bogwera information to outsiders. Tribal sources say that yesterday the initiates proceeded to the ultimate camp at Mokorwana near Dibete. The place is said to be teeming with wild animals.
