31 Aug 2025

Multitudes of Bogwera initiates who gathered at the Gamalete main Kgotla on August 30 have been urged to uphold societal moral values as it is an important component in nation building.

This was revealed by Balete Paramount Chief, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko during a pass out parade for those who had completed the Bogwera initiation rite in Ramotswa.

“Culture is an important component in our efforts to unite our people. It is upon the mophato before me to uphold the call I have made in the past to unite the morafe by upholding basic principles of botho and tlotlo even to the next rulers after me and to other merafe,” said Kgosi Mosadi.

Kgosi Mosadi said the successful completion of the initiation rite was a true testament that they had transitioned from boyhood into law abiding citizens who were expected to have learnt Setswana culture, history and most importantly Selete customs and values.

The graduates who were named Mautlwakgosi by Kgosi Mosadi were also advised on living to the true testimony of their name and uphold what Kgosi required from adult members of the society.

Kgosi Mosadi said through the guidance of other senior members of the morafe the initiates had completed the necessary training to be considered men within the Balete tribe.

She was highly confident that the rite of passage had instilled the required social values which would make them an important cog in contributing to social cohesion and stability within the tribe.

Multitudes braced the blistering heat on Saturday and thronged the Gamalete main kgotla to witness the colourful ceremony of the procession of the over 200 male initiates.

As early as six o’clock in the morning the kgotla was packed to the rafters and the Ditlhaka tsa Balete led in song as the tribe eagerly awaited the procession of the male initiates.

The initiates finally emerged from their sacred space with Kgosi Mosadi and Deputy Paramount Chief Kgosi Tsimane Mokgosi leading the procession to a deafening ululations from the crowd that had packed the kgotla.

According to oral traditions related during the course of the processions the Balete had Bogwera initiates as early as 1890s with the first mophato being Maakathata regiment.

Initiation school for Balete was halted in 1981 and the last regiment to be initiated was called Mafitlhakgosi because the ceremony coincided with the death of Botswana’s founding president Sir Seretse Khama in 1980.

Since then the Bogwera and Bojale were halted and only revived in 2012 with the Matsosangwao regiment passing out.  The following years saw the graduation of other regiments such as Makatamotse and Mabopatshaba. ENDS