Tshwale Royal Family celebrates return to ancestral land
The Tshwale Royal Family in Mooketsi celebrated their return to ancestral land with a traditional ceremony, honouring their heritage and long land-restitution journey.
LIMPOPO – The Tshwale Royal Family recently celebrated their official return to their ancestral land in a vibrant traditional ceremony.
The event was held at 350 LT, Rolvark Farm in Mooketsi, the land that was taken from them during the apartheid era.
The Tshwale people regained the first portion of their land in 2016 and secured the second portion in 2018.
During their displacement, the Tshwale nation had settled in Mpepule and Jokong village within the Greater Letaba Municipality.
The celebration was attended by several traditional leaders, including Hosi Mahumani and Kgoši Seakamela, as well as dignitaries from Lesotho and the Eastern Cape. Guests were treated to live performances by traditional dancers and artists such as Janisto and DJ Monada.
A day before the main event, the Tshwale family performed a re-burial for MmaKgoši Lindeni Johana Tshwale, the late wife of Kgoši Norman Tshwale.
She passed away in 2017 and was initially laid to rest in Jokong. Her remains were respectfully returned to the Tshwale Royal Cemetery on their ancestral land.
During his address, Kgoši Norman Tshwale expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported him during the long struggle to reclaim their land, including friends and allies who stood by the family.
The theme of the day was modern traditional attire, and attendees honored it with style, blending contemporary fashion with cultural heritage.
