ROYAL BEAUTY
LA KGOTLA THE SPECTACLE OF BAKGATLA BA KGAFELA’S LEOBO
It’s a structure like no other! Sitting majestically at the foot of the west side of Phuthadikobo Hill in the BaKgatla ba
Kgafela’s capital, Mochudi, is the magnificent multimillion-pula Leobo la Kgotla (shelter). All things equal, it will officially open tentatively on the 9th December this year. Motorists, pedestrians and the public at large can’t help but marvel at the architectural splendour of the shelter every time they pass by.
There is a growing optimism among the tribal leadership led by Motshwarelela Kgosikgolo, Kgosi Bana Sekai that the auspicious day will soon dawn when Morafe wa BaKgatla ba Kgafela will finally enjoy the comfort of their Leobo.
It’s been a long time coming! The project started immediately after the ascension of
Kgosikgolo Kgafela II to the throne. Kgafela, a modernist and staunch traditionalist all rolled into one, began with reviving traditional regiments in an effort to restore law and order and thereafter embarked upon the monumental
Leobo la Kgotla undertaking.
The Morafe was fired up. Just like it happened with the building of the University of Botswana (UB) campus ‘Motho le motho kgomo’ campaign,
Magosana were dispatched throughout the village wards to solicit monetary donations, which was used to build the Leobo foundation.
When the money ran out and the tribal administration could not fully account for its use, Magosana declined to go back to Morafe to ask for more donations. This was during the turbulences between government and Bogosi jwa BaKgatla ba Kgafela! After a long while a group of eight (8) BaKgatla men got together to revive the project, which had been abandoned and was mockingly referred to as ‘ko Foundationing’!
These men were Patrick Matshenyego Ramotswetla (Chairman); Charles Modise (Vice); Louis Moroka (Secretary); Jeffery Parafine (Vice); Sylvester Rampete; Jackson Mooketsi; Radikolo Kgamanyane; and Mogomotsi Sentsho. This committee had no Treasurer. The success of the Leobo project is credited to these patriots. They went from company to company, knocking on every door asking for donations – not money, but building materials!
If they had a shortfall in bricks they would ask a company to buy them the number of bricks they needed and managed to take the project from foundation to superstructure and eventually to roofing level. But not even this gallantry could complete the Leobo. That’s when the tribal administration turned its gaze to politicians and asked for support from the Constituency Fund administered by Members of Parliament Bright Molebatsi (Mochudi East) and Gilbert Mangole (Mochudi West) both of who contributed P1, 5 million a piece. The P3 million did not directly go to BaKgatla ba Kgafela Tribal Administration but was instead administered by Kgatleng District Council, who are responsible for procuring the required materials and keeping proper records. Once again the P3 million was depleted and quotations sought thereafter indicated that only P1, 7 million was needed to complete the project.
It was the Constituency Funds once again that came to the rescue, this time via the incumbent Members of Parliament – Mabuse Pule (Mochudi East) and Mmusi Kgafela (Mochudi West), with both men pledging P1 million each.
The Leobo Committee members did a tremendous job, no doubt! For example, placing the roofing poles required a crane to lift them – the committee approached De Vet, who unfortunately did not have a crane but instead De Vet approached their partners who graciously provided it and was used on site for one month three weeks!
A pole was lifted for every day of the one and half month and then tied and secured to the roof. This was an extremely laborious work. It could have cost the project a prodigious amount had the crane been hired!
As for the grass thatching, it was done by the diminutive Zimbabwean national fondly known as ‘Mfana e Mfishane’ – an artist par excellence!
At the time of the visit to the Leobo, the project was only short of minor finishing touches – these being, tiles, paint as well as fire guard for the grass thatching and fire extinguishers
The wish however is to make provision for booths and a control room as well as big screens in the Leobo to enable uninterrupted telecommunication. In-fact, it is envisaged that Kgosikgolo Kgafela will address Morafe via video call from his base in Moruleng, South Africa on the day of the official opening.The Leobo boasts an auditorium and has a seating capacity of 604 people inside. It has a boardroom; an office for the Kgosikgolo; a reception and bedroom. There is also a kitchen and bathrooms (toilets) for VIPs. Provision has also been made for Mohumagadi Mma Matshego (Queen) to use the King’s office.
In the spirit of inclusion there is a ramp for use by people with disabilities and toilets specifically for people with disabilities. The Leobo is a magnificent structure complete with folding windows for maximum ventilation. Already, some government departments have visited BaKgatla Tribal Administration for purposes of benchmarking. Outside in the foreground, homes in the vicinity of the Kgotla will be demolished to make way for more space where Morafe can sit alfresco during various community gatherings. The consultations with the home owners has been done and they have agreed to move on the condition that they will be given keys to new houses and adequately compensated for any other loss related to the relocation. The drawings for the Leobo structure were done by BaKgatla natives Christiaan
Phaladze of CPM Architects while Carthage Matlhage was the Engineer. Meanwhile, Motshwarelela Kgosikgolo, Kgosi Bana Sekai recently received a donation of a Podium complete with BaKgatla Tribal Administration logo and 200 plastic chairs from telecoms company, Mascom Wireless.
Kgosi Sekai was accompanied by Kgosi Kitso Pilane and Magosana including Kgosana Mpho Pone, whose fund-raising and donation seeking efforts, Kgosi Sekai acknowledged.
Mascom was represented by Boipelo Matenge, the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer accompanied by Barbara Gotlop, Masie; Kaelo Tlhaloganyo; Thema Mososwane; Moshe Kootsile and Kenosi Kombani. Pledges, donations – in kind and in monetary or materials – are trickling in, as the tentative day for the official opening draws closer. Already a Steering Committee to prepare for the official opening has been unveiled.
It is made up of Lesedi Seitei (Chairman) Kgosi George Thwane of Artesia (Deputy); Yame Rakhudu (Treasurer); there is also Sesha from the District Commissioner’s office; Mma Ndebele and her Deputy who are the Tribal Administrators and act as the Secretariat. Among other members there is Dr Mogomotsi; Nnono Sello; Calvin Phokontsi; Pule Mphothwe as well as representatives from the Council Secretary (PRO); Police, Prisons, Wildlife & Buildings, and Social and Community Development (S&CD).
Kgosana Mpho Pone told The Mkidwedek Sun that the team is made up of members that are eager to work and have hit the ground running. “Our wish is to host a grand event similar to or even bigger than the coronation. We are running around looking for funds,” he said, adding that guests will be invited from Makapanstad and Moruleng, and from various tribal groupings in Botswana.