12 May 2024

Opening of the P12.5 million Mochudi main kgotla shelter has been described as a remarkable milestone in the history of Bakgatla.

Addressing his subjects virtually during the kgotla shelter  opening on May 11, Kgosi Kgafela II of Bakgatla said they should celebrate their achievement, remain positive and look forward to the future with hope and determination.

He said for them to have achieved such a milestone in his absence, showed the decisiveness of the leadership that he left behind.

He said he was impressed by the architectural designs that produced a state-of-the-art shelter which ‘speaks ingenuity’.

“I want to commend all those who took part in this project and say - Well done,” he said.

Kgosi Nchaupe III of Bakgatla ba Ga-Mosetlha in South Africa attached special relationship with Bakgatla ba ga Kgafela, saying that their achievements were theirs.

He said celebrating achievements together was another way of strengthening relationship and supporting one another. He said the construction of the kgotla shelter showed commitment, spirit of unity and a collective hard work by the community.

“We are here to witness the official opening of the shelter and important services that will be offered through the shelter,” he said. Kgosi Nchaupe implored Bakgatla to remain united and continue working hard.

Deputy Chief of Bakgatla, Kgosi Bana Sekai said the shelter ground breaking was done in 2010 and the project stalled in 2011 due to lack of funds after some preliminary stages took off.

He said the construction was resuscitated in 2018 with the second phase. He said the construction had been a mammoth journey with both challenges and successes.

However, he said Bakgatla remained resolute to finish the project that took many years due to some hardships endured in the process.

He said following the second phase of construction in 2019, the construction committee took a decision to encourage donors to bring only building materials and that was when a lot of donations in kind came forth.

“We are happy that we managed to do this mammoth project that was multi-disciplinary and very delicate,” he said.

Kgosi attested that they made a good progress because companies and individuals donated building materials towards the project until it finished.

He commended those who took part in the project voluntarily especially the architect, Mr Christian Phaladze, Mr Disang Matlhaga-structural engineer and Carthage Matlhaga–electrical engineer Babotseng Kgafela.

Kgosi Sekai said the opening of shelter marked the beginning of bigger things to come as it would now become the central place for engaging with the community on different issues.

MP for Mochudi East, Mr Mabuse Pule commended Bakgatla for their determination to see the project completed. He said the achievement was worth celebrating as it resembled one of the cornerstones of Botswana - spirit of self-reliance.

He said P5 million from the Constituency Community Project fund was injected into the project and thanked the government, donors and Batswana at large who made the project and the event possible.

The state-of-the-art shelter boast of a 700-seater auditorium where kgotla meetings will be held, boardroom, Kgosi’s office, VVIP and VIP sitting area, boardroom, offices and bathrooms. ENDS