09 May 2024

The multi-million state-of-the-art kgotla shelter in Mochudi will  be officially be opened on tomorrow..

Chairperson of steering committee, Mr Lesedi Seitei said preparations for Saturday spectacle were afoot and that the event was expected to attract  more than 3000 attendees and 600 dignitaries.

He said official opening remarks will be performed by Kgosi Nchaupe Makapen III of the Bakgatla ba Mosetlha from South Africa, while Kgosikgolo Kgafela II would also address Bakgatla virtually.

Mr Seitei said it was highly anticipated that the long awaited official opening would begin with a spectacular ceremony characterised by Bakgatla traditional music, poems, Bakgatla traditional regalia and anything that epitomises Setswana tradition to accommodate every attendee. 

He said the kgotla shelter concept was the brainchild of Kgosikgolo Kgafela II who has always envisioned a decent kgotla shelter that could accommodate many people, and started working on the idea since 2008.

Also, he said the idea was further supported by the trio, Mr Christian Phaladze, an architect, Mr Disang Matlhaga - structural engineer and Carthage Matlhaga – electrical engineer who produced an attractive architecture to make Kgosi’s dream a reality.

Mr Seitei said the project resembled a determination of collective effort as it was solely Bakgatla’s project because it was built through donations from morafe and some collaborations with the government, the private sector and some companies who donated some building material.

“Everything was done voluntarily over some years until the end, through the Leobo construction committee,” he said.

The shelter has a capacity of 700 people and it comprises Kgosi’s office, VVIP and VIP sitting area, boardroom, offices and bathrooms. Ends