AfriForum, Bakgatla Ba Kgafela in Mochudi sign recognition treaty

AfriForum and the Paramount Monarch of the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela in Mochudi, Botswana and Moruleng in South Africa, Kgosikgolo Kgafela Kgafela II, have signed a historic recognition and cooperation treaty.

This would see them collaborating on the strengthening of cultural autonomy, community self-sufficiency, agricultural development and the preservation and strengthening of cultural identity.

Despite some reservations around the agreement, Kgosikgolo Kgafela Kgafela II, says it will be to their benefit.

“We have signed a very historical agreement with the Afrikaner community that was led by Afriforum as part of Bakgatla ba Kgafela. It’s an agreement of mutual cooperation and recognition to create a better future for our constituents. Ultimately, we’ll take our people out of the darkness of injustice that we all experience.”

However, the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela tribal authority in Moruleng says it does not recognise the agreement.

They have been embroiled in legal disputes regarding their rightful leader for decades. The Baloyi Commission’s findings recognised KgosiKgolo Kgafela Kgafela II as Paramount Mornach and Kgosi Ramano Pilane Linchwe as an interim Kgosi.

It was, however, overturned in the North West High Court in March and Kgosi Nyalala Pilane was recognised as Kgosi of Bakgatla Ba Kgafela in Moruleng. Segale Pilane the spokesperson for the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela in Moruleng, says the agreement has no legal standing.

“Kgafela Kgafela is a Kgosi in Mochudi and not in South Africa. I may even go further to say he’s actually a fugitive and AfriForum will be harbouring a fugitive. Thirdly, he cannot arrogate to himself powers he does not have, he does not possess any powers to enter into agreements with, AfriForum on behalf of Bakgatla Ba Kgafela in Moruleng.”