A beloved king’s life remembered

SEKHUKHUNE – The annual commemoration of Bapedi’s paramount king, Kgošikgolo Sekhukhune I, was held this past weekend at Maroteng in Mohlaletse.

The event was attended by thousands of locals as well as kings from all over southern Africa.

Among them were representatives from the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders, Kgoši Malesela Dikgale, the Royal House of the Kingdom of eSwatini, His Royal Highness Prince Gudluza Dlamini, Botswana’s Kgosana Sello Moroka III and Basotho’s Morena Paulus Letsitsa III. The Griqua and Khoisan were represented by Prince Liefie Leisie, and a host of other kings and local chiefs honoured the event.

A brief history of the Bapedi tribe and the life of the fallen hero was shared with attendees on the day.

Those who spoke about the history were Jerry Mawatle, a professor of literature and linguistics in the Department of African Languages at the University of Pretoria, Adv Shadrack Tebeila, counsel advocate at African Court on Human and People’s Rights, the United Nations (UN)’s Thabo Mpyane and Dr Connie Makgabo, from The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB).

There was traditional music galore, with performances by the likes of Madikizela, Kgoshi Dafida, Mafološa Nkwe Thabeng, Mpherefere and Matjiya. The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) brass band and award-winning local gospel singer, Winnie Mashaba also honoured the event.

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This eighth annual event aimed to pay homage to the iconic king and to educate the present generation about the history of the Bapedi tribe and the king’s role in the liberation struggle.

Born in 1814, Matsebe Sekhukhune I was assassinated by his half-brother Mampuru on August 13, 1882.

Sekhukhune I’s kingdom boasted victories over the Voortrekkers and the British and was one of the strongest and largest in Southern Africa in the mid to late 1800s. His kingdom stretched from the Vaal River in the south to the Limpopo River in the north.

His majesty, acting Kgošikgolo Kgagudi Kenneth (KK) Sekhukhune applauded the courage and resilience of King Sekhukhune I against the injustices of oppression. He advised that the challenge for the younger generation is to interact with this rich history.

“This day too, the Bapedi clan signifies the pain King Sekhukhune endured in his lifetime. He fought for the Bapedi nation against white colonialism more than anyone else. Hence we are commemorating him every year, remembering the good he did for people.”

Mawatle, who was among the keynote speakers, appealed to the government to erect statues of Kgoshigolo Sekhukhune I all over the country.

“King Sekhukhune I helped in reuniting and building the legacy of the Bapedi tribe. I also appeal for unity in the Bapedi kingdom.”