10/09/2012
Bakgatla Ba Kgafela culture celebrations, dubbed Sedibelo Festival 2012, were graced by Bakgatla from Moruleng and Lentswelemoriti during the weekend in Mochudi.
Bakgalta converged at the graveyard where Bakgatla royals are buried to laying of wreaths inside the graveyard.
The day started with laying of the wreaths, prayers and songs that were performed by different churches in the village.
The laying of wreaths by family members of chiefs who are buried at the graveyard, known as Molapong, kick-started the cultural celebrations that are expected to run until the end of the month.
After the laying of flowers, the leadership of Bakgatla Ba Kgafela awarded certificates of recognition to veterans from different fields in the village who served under the leadership of different magosi in Mochudi.
Those who were awarded with certificates of recognition were senior citizens, some of whom awarded posthumously.
Kgafela’s young brother, Morena Bakgatla, gave certificates to some of the chiefs who served in different wards in Kgatleng under the stewardship of different late chiefs.
He commended the chiefs for their roles in building the morafe.
Most of the people who served under Kgosi Isang, Kgosai Molefi and Kgosi Linchwe II were awarded certificates of recognition.
Rakgadi Seingwaeng Kgafela had an opportunity to hand over the certificates to different individuals who persistently participated and worked with Bakgatla Ba Kgafela’s three Chiefs. Among them were cleaners who worked as maids for one of the chiefs.
Police officers who served under bogosi were also presented with certificates for their influential part during their tenure.
Among those who were awarded certificates were those who played a role in the bojale initiation, those who were squaba divers, blacksmiths, traditional doctors and pastors from different churches.
Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Heritage Officer, Ntikwe Motlotle, pointed out that the event marked the start of the Sedibelo Festival this year, adding that different activities have been planned until at the end of the month.
Motlotle further explained that the cultural celebrations are expected to end in Moruleng this month, where the current crop of bojale graduates are expected to be paraded before Bakgatla Ba Kgafela, Kgosi Kgolo Kgafela, who is currently residing in Moruleng, South Africa.
She stated that they intend to approach the National Museum and Gallery for possible listing of the Dikgosi graveyard as a national monument. She said that there was a need to list the graveyard as a monument to become part of sites with rich historical background.
However, the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture was concerned about the non attendance of youth at Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Sedibelo Heritage Cultural Festival, which was officially opened during the weekend.
The Ministry’s Principal Performing Arts Officer, Bopelo Gaothuse, stated that he was disappointed that most of the youth were not part of the official opening that comprised the laying of wreaths inside Dikgosi’s graveyard.
Gaothuse noted that the culture that was displayed and shared during the official opening by elders were important to the youth.
He said that youth should grace such events that are aimed at imparting knowledge among them. He also noted that culture day was important to the youth who should learn and appreciate their culture.
