04 Apr 2017

Kgosi Malope II has yesterday applauded sponsors of the  first annual Kgosi Malope II Bicycle Challenge  and the 200 cyclists who made the spectacle a resounding success.

Speaking in Kanye , Kgosi Malope explained that the competition, which was organised by Tsosamotse Society was intended to raise funds to develop Mmalekwa cemetry.

Kgosi Malope II said it was imperative to salvage what remained of the cemetry, which he described as a rich historical site, and conserve it for future generations.

He said his late mother and Queen Mother Retse Gaseitsewe together with his elder brother Kgosi Leema Gaseitsewe and other royals were buried at the cemetry.

Kgosi Malope thanked Debswana Jwaneng Mine for donating P150 000 and Security Systems for P26 000 in cash and providing security service during the event.

Kgosi Malope said the first phase of the project entailed fencing the yard, with a prayer room and pathways for vistors.

Kgosi Malope however advised Tsosamotse volunteers to ensure the bicycle race was not a once-off thing.

He also challenged the volunteers to channel their youthful energies towards other village development initiatives.

Meanwhile, Debswana Corporate Affairs manager, Montlenyane Baaitse said her company saw it fit to partner with Bangwaketse with the intention to develop the cemetry into a sustainable income generator for the community, which she shared was in line with the Cultural and Relics Policy her organisation developed in 2015.

“We don’t just dig holes on the ground, we give back to the community because we know that someday our mining activities will come to an end.

We want to leave resilient communities behind,” she said. Baaitse to this end, said her company partnered with Security Systems to help develop and commercialise the project for the community to ensure it became sustainable.

She was of the view that if developed, the cemetry would attract tourists along the Trans-Kalahari Highway and generate money through tourism activities.

When giving the overview, project chairperson, Edward Dibeela said the initiative to develop the cemetry started in 2014 with a concern from the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA).

He said the church was concerned that the rich history, which included missionaries who were buried in the place was fast going to waste. He said developing the area could create employment for the youth and become a sustainable income generator for the village.

Dibeela said they would avail all the information on every tomb for public consumption. He further shared that Tom Brown, who once translated the English dictionary into Setswana, missionaries, travellers, mercinaries, British and Rhodesian soldiers were buried in the area. He likewise urged Bangwaketse to contribute towards the project.

Tsosamotse Society representative, Moanamisi Gadiile said they would do their best to ensure the project became successful. He said the organisation, which comprised Kanye youth, partnered with the project committee to organise fund-raising activities to develop the plot.

Gadiile explained that the partnership was an expression of a desire to plough back to the community that had raised them to become the best they could be.

He said they wished to connect the cemetry to the internet to create an enabling environment for Kanye youth to do business.

For his part, Kitso Motshidisi thanked cyclists for making the event a success.

The event brought together cyclists from South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. He also encouraged the youth to do cycling as a sport. Nkululu Dube from Zimbabwe emerged the overall winner. ENDS