23 Apr 2014

Molapowabojang, a sprawling village found in the southern part of Botswana, along the Lobatse-Kanye Highway, celebrates 100 years of existence end of November this year.

The village youth have joined hands with the leadership to make the event a success, said the village Kgosi Kedirile Letshabo in an interview, adding that the big day will be characterised by cultural activities.

Kgosi Letshabo said cultural activities lined up for entertaining people on November 29, the day for the celebration, included morabaraba, mhele, diketo, koi, horse racing, bike racing, and choirs.

“Re tlaa bo re golegile koloi ya kgothokgotho ka dikgomo le dilei, re supa ngwao ya batswana, borre ba tlabo ba ja dijo tsa setso jaaka kabu, bogobe ja logala, lerotse le dikgobe,’’said the traditional leader, meaning that traditional aspects of life will be show cased, such as ox wagons, wooden sleighs, as well as various kinds of traditional dishes.

Established in 1914, Molapowabojang is home to about 7 500 people, according to the 2001 census, and most of them have local origins, while a sizeable number come from other regions, making it culturally diverse.

History shows that Matebele invaders once occupied the place using it as a haven during the conflict plagued Mzilikazi Kingdom. The foot and butt prints that are visible on some rocks such as Motsenekatse Hill are proof of this notion.

It is worthy to note that, because of this encounter, the name Motsenekatse was in fact, derived from ‘Mzilikazi’. Molapowabojang sits along a river that runs fairly around it; this river used to supply the village with natural water until the advent of clean water reticulation.

The village was recently connected to the Lobatse water system to enjoy a steady water supply after suffering prolonged water shortages. Other physical features include several hills, notable among them, Motsenekatse Hill, which is the largest, Chichi Hill, and Ntomalome.

The village also boasts of a few developments such as a clinic, two primary schools and a junior secondary school that caters for both the local primary schools and the surrounding villages of Kgomokasitwa and Maisane.

Bashanka Enterprises is one of the oldest Lucky 7 stores that serves as the melting pot of the village, followed by Moonyana, Ga Bushi, Square Deal and Value Stores (Choppies).

There is also a Geographical Survey (GS) building just opposite Bashanka Enterprises which has its headquarters in Lobatse.  There is also a newly built motel in the village, just close to the RecPark.

The motel serves the local residents as well as tourists and other people coming from outside the village either passing by or staying for entertainment purposes.

There is a lot of night entertainment which includes bars and a recreational park called Molapowabojang RecPark, which hosts a lot of local artists and musicians from neighbouring South Africa every year.

The RecPark is one of the well-known entertainment centres across the country among night crawlers, especially the youth; as such the centennial is expected to attract people from many parts of the country.

Local youth, who on the driving seat of preparations, have already raised P15 500 which has been kept safely in a specified bank account. Some local farmers have enthusiastically pledged to contribute beasts and goats to make feeding an unforgettable feature of the day.

However, the kgosi is worried that the kgotla meetings meant to discuss issues related to the celebration are not well attended.  “I encourage headmen and village elders to consult and urge their people to be present at meetings as regularly as possible,” he appealed. ENDS