11 Jun 2014

The enrolment figures for this year’s Balete initiation training are low when compared to the numbers registered in 2012 during the same period.


In an interview on June 9, Balete deputy chief, Kgosi Tsimane Mokgosi appealed to those who had not been initiated to register for this year’s uptake.


He said they had registered 42 men in comparison to hundreds of prospective mophato members they registered in 2012 by this time.
 “A lot of people in the past hinted that they will undergo bogwera but we are only interested in seeing them walking the talk,” Kgosi Mokgosi said.


Therefore, he encouraged males aged 18 years and above to enrol in large numbers as this will help the tribe to reach its objectives.
 The deputy chief advised those who were willing to enrol but did not have time to consult with bogosi to ask their parents to register on their behalf.


Kgosi Mokgosi also added that those who were not Balete but were willing to partake in the mophato training were most welcome. 
 He said they were hoping to impart a lot of knowledge to the regiment during their four weeks of intensive training.


Those who would have enrolled would be expected to go for training the whole of August. Kgosi Mokgosi said unless there are some logistical changes, the regiments graduation will be held on the same day with the Balete Culture Day on August 30.


This year’s bogwera uptake will be the second in the modern days since the tribe resurrected the old school training in 2012.
 Balete revived the traditional initiation regiment after its nonexistence in the Balete territory for almost thirty years.


Hence the 2012 mophato which had 243 male members was named Matsosangwao and was followed by 83 female regiments in 2013, which also bore the same name of Matsosangwao.
 As it is the custom, this year’s mophato is expected to be given a name and a task by the Balete Kgosikgolo upon the completion of a month long culture intensive training. ENDS