07 Mar 2016

It was a day of pure joy for the Makaleng community when the roving torch arrived in the village on Friday. 

Residents appeared to have been eager for the arrival of the torch as they came to the village kgotla in large numbers to partake in the historic event. 

While the pinnacle of several activities lined up was the reading by the District Commissioner Mr Keabetswe Lesiela of the message from President Lt. Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, the narration of the village history seemed to be a much-needed eye-opener for many in the audience. 

Whereas the message from President Khama appealed for unity among Batswana, the retracing of the Makaleng history by a resident, Mr Olefile Nakedi gave the audience a glimpse into the origins of the Bakhurutshe village.

Mr Nakedi explained that after the dispersal of Bakhurutshe to different parts of Botswana owing to factors such as wars and the search for food, those of Makaleng had initially settled, albeit temporarily, in the small village of Vukwi, which lies some five kilometres west of Masunga.

He said following a warning that they had settled on a route used by the Ndebele, the Bakhurutshe hastily relocated, moving westwards till they settled at Makaleng, a place located near Shalakwe hill.

The stayed temporarily there and later moved to the foot of Shalakwe hill, which they then renamed Makaleng, he stated.

He said the Bakhurutshe, who were at the time led by Kgosi Rauwe, were a people reliant on agriculture.

Mr Nakedi said while at one point the tribe went to the Bangwato tribe to seek for protection, their discontent with life in Shoshong where they had settled drove them back to the North East area. 

On arrival, he noted that they found the area having been sold to Tati Company and divided into villages; adding however that they chose to resettle at the same location where they had stayed prior to moving to Shoshong.

Mr Nakedi further informed the audience that back then when the Bakhurutshe of Makaleng established their village, the village had only two wards namely Tholo and Mpalo.

Makaleng now has ten wards, all headed by headmen of arbitration, he noted.

He also indicated that there were only two churches in the village then; the London Missionary Society (LMS) and the Church of London, now called the Anglican Church.

Among other things, Mr Nakedi said Makaleng then had a small mud health post from which residents received medical care provided by doctors who visited the village once a month from Francistown.

Meanwhile, a youth Ms Charity Nsendami expressed concern over the poor morals exhibited by the youth today.

Meanwhile, a youth Ms Charity Nsendami expressed concern over the poor morals exhibited by the youth today.

She appealed to the youth to refrain from uncouth behaviour; and also implored them to effectively use government empowerment programmes to better their lives.

Proposing a vote of thanks at the end of the event, the North East District Council (NEDC) chairperson, Ms Florah Mpetsane hailed the district for its preparedness to host the roving torch.

Ms Mpetsane, who is also councillor for Matsiloje, pleaded with Batswana to pray for peace and tranquility to continue.

She observed that it remained every Motswana’s responsibility to jealously guard the peace that the nation has been enjoying over the years and ensure that nothing threatened its continuance.  Ends