Honouring Sotho traditions: A community member’s story
From head to toe, people of South Sotho descent wear attire that represents their culture. Here’s what to know about their customs.
Mohale Modiselle takes pride in his South Sotho and SiPhedi roots, and is passionate about keeping the traditions of his culture alive.
• Also read: Women showcase their heritage in traditional attire
He recently spoke to the Randfontein Herald about his culture and explained that his name means ‘hero’ and his surname ‘shepherd’.
With a mother of Sotho descent and a father from the SiPhedi community, Mohale grew up surrounded by the stories, rituals, and values of his people.
We are very respectful of our culture. We love our culture very much, we had to sacrifice for it, and we don’t want anyone to change it,” he said.
Resilience and survival are central to their way of life, he added.
Animals also hold special significance, symbolising courage and strength.
“We look to the lion, known as Bataung, and the crocodile, known as Bakwena, for guidance,” Mohale said.
Traditional attire plays an important role in ceremonies and everyday life. They wear blankets called lefitori or poene, often decorated with maize. Pregnant women are gifted blankets by their in-laws. In winter, kgoklapo water boots keep feet warm. Headwear reflects status: Newlywed women wear doeks, while men wear modiya-nyeho, a reed headpiece reserved for kings and queens.
Protection is also woven into daily life. Community members carry three types of sticks: Lebetlela for fighting, koto to scare away snakes or wild animals, and mohlamu for everyday use.
Respect is a cornerstone of Sotho culture. When entering a room, Mohale greets everyone, young and old, as mom or dad – bomme for women and bontate for men.
This is how we show respect, as the young will also grow to be a mother or father.”
Through his words, Mohale paints a vivid picture of a culture rooted in respect, resilience, and connection to both people and nature – a tradition he is proud to carry forward.
