MOTHEO WA BAKWENA FOUNDATION ,MWBF CELEBRATES THE COLOURS OF ITS CULTURE THIS DAY
This Heritage Day held on the 26th Sept 2026 at Bethane Sports ground the Bakwena ba Mogopa community looked beyond celebration and asked how its culture can sustain people.The theme of the day was delivered by the guest speaker mr
Themba Gwabene under the theme of exploring heritage to job creation and self sufficiency, the community highlighted how traditions, history, crafts, food, music and land can become the foundation for local businesses, and skills development. The message was clear, is not only something to remember, but something build on, so that future generations can earn a living and stand on their own.
Heritage means business, Bakwena ba Mogopo look to Culture to Create Employment.
‘Good morning, and a warm welcome to you all as we commemorate Heritage Month.
It is a profound honour and privilege for me, in my capacity as Chairperson of the Motheo wa Bakwena Foundation, to welcome each of you to this milestone celebration of our shared cultural heritage.
Introduction & What is Heritage?Today, we convene not merely to observe a date and culture.
Preserving Our Indigenous Languages
A central pillar of our heritage is our mother tongue. Language serves as the repository for a nation’s wisdom, history, and unique cultural identity. We must proactively encourage our children and youth to speak, read, and master their indigenous languages, ensuring they remain vibrant within our households and institutions. belonging; an understanding of our history serves as the essential compass for navigating our future path. Consequently, we bear a collective duty to pass these traditions to our youth and instill a deep respect for ouronknowledge systems, oral traditions, ceremonies, and sacred landscapes. Heritage provides a profound sense of identity thehistorical narratives, traditional leadership, values,
indigenous Heritage extends far beyond attire, music, dance, and cuisine. It encompasses our indigenous languages, customs, traditions,calendar, but to honor the core of our identity—reflecting on our origins, honoring the legacy bequeathed to us by our ancestors, and affirming our solemn responsibility to preserve this foundation for future generations.Traditional Leadership and Historical Continuity We acknowledge the critical role played by traditional leadership in safeguarding our history, customs, and cultural heritage. The history of our kingdoms and communities mustbe meticulously documented, venerated, and transmitted across generations. Our elders possess invaluable wisdom that transcends formal literature. It is incumbent upon us to create platforms for our elders to impart knowledge regarding our lineage, historical struggles, traditions, and core values that have sustained our cohesion. We must ensure that this rich heritage is actively transmitted to prevent its loss.
Our Youth: The Future Custodians
To our youth: you are neither too young to carry this mantle nor exempt from this responsibility. You are the future custodians of our cultural legacy. We urge you to learn your languages and history, engage with elders, and actively participate in cultural activities.
Crucially, cultural preservation and modern advancement are mutually reinforcing. Heritage must serve as a firm foundation rather than an impediment to progress. We are dedicated to ensuring our young people excel through education, sports, arts, technology, entrepreneurship, and community development.
The Empowerment and Role of Women
Today, we also pay tribute to the indispensable contributions of women. Women have historically served as the cornerstone of our families, culture, language, and community knowledge. As women, we must continue to uplift one another and expand opportunities for young women and girls. Women must not only be recognized as custodians of heritage, but as active leaders and drivers in economic development, education, and governance.
Heritage as a Catalyst for Economic Development Heritage must be leveraged as a vital resource for socio-economic development. Our rich culture holds immense potential to unlock economic opportunities for artistsmusicians, traditional performers, artisans, designers, cultural practitioners, small enterprises, and tourism initiatives.
We must continuously evaluate:
How can our heritage directly enhance the socio-economic well-being of our communities?
How can indigenous knowledge be transformed into sustainable economic opportunities?
How can cultural initiatives generate sustainable employment for our youth?
How can cultural events maximize local enterprise development?
The Role of the Motheo wa Bakwena Foundation
At the Motheo wa Bakwena Foundation, we firmly believe that heritage preservation must be intrinsically linked to community development. Our interventions focus on youth and women empowerment, sports, arts, culture, heritage preservation, and providing structured support to vulnerable members of our society.
This gathering is more than a celebration; it is a strategic platform to forge partnerships, expand opportunities, educate our youth, and fortify our communities. Our vision is to see our heritage actively integrated within our homes, educational institutions, and civic structures.
A Call to Action
Preserving our heritage is a collective responsibility.
To Our Traditional Leaders: Continue to guide us and safeguard our cultural institutions.
To Our Elders: Continue imparting your wisdom to the rising generation.
To Parents: Instill in your children a deep understanding and appreciation of their roots.
To Our Youth: Immerse yourselves in your history and take immense pride in your identity. To Government and Development Partners: Expand your support for rural development and cultural preservation initiatives.
To the Business Sector: Partner with our communities to utilize heritage as an engine for sustainable economic development. ‘
The occasion was attended by esteem guest from different Royal Homes, in attendance was
Kgosikgolo TRM Mamogale
Kgosi Sechele,Kgosi Ramokoka,Kgosi Tshwale,Kgosi Mabalane,Kgosi Maloka,Kgosi Makapane,Princess Seipati Tshehlane and Prince Tumelo Pacule
Princess Seipati Tshehlane and Prince Tumelo Pacule and representatives from King Nzunza kingdom and representatives Motsepes Royal Family and also the Bataung Royal house.
Dikgosi tsa bakwena,Kgosikgolo TRM Mamogale standing with Kgosi Ramokoka and Kgosi Sechele
The Royal Queens and Kgosikgolo TRM Mamogale
Also in attendance was speaker of Madibeng:Ditshego Mhezi and MMC Motladi
How can we forget artist who made the special were Nanas cultural group and the SAPS brass band and Dibini tsa Sefokeng
Members of the business community:Tshirologo Disability Group,Ntshinogeng Mmope,Phenyo Mokone and Sinah Motsielwa and Motsweding FM represented by LTK as MC
The Foundation has promised a much bigger and better festivities for next year at a different village with the hope attracting more sponsors to come onboard.
By OUPA KEKANA
ENDS
