27 September 2004

By Clifford Mogotsi

HERITAGE Day, 24 September, was celebrated in style in Mogale City as executive mayor of the West Rand District, Sister Barnard Ncube, unveiled the much-anticipated statue of Kgosi Mogale wa Mogale outside the municipal offices.

Kgosi Mogale was the chief of Setswana-speaking Bapo people in the late iron-age period.

The unveiling marked the historical significance of Kgosi Mogale, who was represented as a true leader of Batswana.

Speaker after speaker hailed the icon as the first freedom fighter in this country and a brave leader who tirelessly attempted to restore ancestral land to his people.

Mogale City's executive mayor Lentswe Mokgatle divulged that the commissioning of the statue was a way of preserving the history and legacy he left for his people.

"This is the rich heritage highlighting the sophistication of our past African leadership. In the spirit of Kgosi Mogale, we shall bravely endeavour to find effective ways to serve and protect our citizens and Mogale City Local Municipality shall aspire to show leadership in serving our communities better," said Mokgatle.

A clique of local sangomas (traditional healers) held a 30-minute session to pray for the statue to remain erect and be protected from being stolen or destroyed.

According to updated historical research, Mogale lived in the mountains and valleys of Magaliesburg and the Po were among the early groups to occupy the territory today known as Mogale City, which includes Krugersdorp, Magaliesburg, Muldersdrift, Hekpoort, Tarlton, Munsieville and Kagiso. His political influence stretched as far as Hartbeespoort, Brits, Northcliff and the Vaal region.

Amongst the high-profile guests who came to honour Kgosi Mogale was Dr Mathole Motshekga, who, in his long speech, considered the unveiling and celebration as a challenge to assess South Africa's colonial past.

"We have embraced the post-colonial vision of the founders of our democracy and made it the foundation of the new South Africa," he said.

Motshekga said the Sterkfontein Caves in Magaliesberg, which itself was a bastardisation of the name Mogale, were the world's richest sources of knowledge about the development of man.

Chairperson of Recreation Africa, the owners of the Carnivore Restaurant and Misty Hills, said it was a great honour to have commissioned the masterpiece statue, which was crafted by Adam Madebe. "The mayor challenged us to think larger than ourselves and this statue is a lasting heritage and historical investment," said Forsyth.

Other honourable guests included MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu, council's speaker Farouk Omar Bhayat and Mogale Foundation trustees.

Kgosi Mogale's statue fit for a king

An area steeped in history