ITN Channel 4 (UK) Video http://bit.ly/bPR9MQ
ITN Channel 4 (UK) Video and text http://bit.ly/avs5dC
Sunday Times (RSA) http://www.timeslive.co.za/business/article510185.ece/Palace-revolt-looms-for-Royal-Bafokeng
The Guardian (UK) - see article below
27 June 2010
As England kick off, locals accuse team's hosts of looting their wealth
By: David Smith
England could not have asked for more generous hosts. The Royal Bafokeng Nation has provided Fabio Capello's men with a pounds 327m sports campus, including a state-of-the-art gym and medical centre and luxury bedrooms.
The hospitality has earned the Bafokeng huge international media attention, most of it overwhelmingly positive as the story is told of an African kingdom that won its autonomy - and the right to mine the
world's richest source of platinum.
But among the praise-singers for the Bafokeng there are dissenting voices. Local communities accuse its royal family of evicting them, polluting their water and looting their wealth - some of which was poured into England's training camp and the stadium where they faced the United States last night.
The dispute is heading for court as these communities resist an attempt by the Bafokeng to have new tracts of land in South Africa's North West province registered in its name.
"Over 60% of the land is underlain by platinum and other reserves," said community representative Thusi Rapoo. "They want the farms, the land registered in their name. We want the land registered in the community's name."
Far from the benevolent hosts portrayed by a skilful PR operation, the Bafokeng can be ruthless in getting what it wants, according to Rapoo, of the Bafokeng Land Buyers Association.
"The employment of security to guard the family and its mining operations, we call platinum looting," he said. "They have literally assaulted community members. Communities have been evicted from their homes because of mining. They have polluted our waters, taken our grazing areas. Our farmland is occupied by mining infrastructure. We are landlocked by it."
Rapoo argues that there is a wide gulf between the Bafokeng royal family, headed by king Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, and the ethnically diverse communities that fall under its jurisdiction, often inaccurately described as part of the Bafokeng nation.
"We have families who go to sleep on hungry stomachs in Bafokeng ," he added. "There have been demands for government houses, but the royal family are not really supportive of government assistance. It is an incorrect view to say the Bafokeng people are doing well. The Bafokeng family are doing well for themselves."
Bafokeng lore states that in the late 19th century, king Kgosi Mokgatle embarked on a land acquisition programme to secure his community's rights under pressure from Boers, hunters and traders moving into the rolling bushveld plains broken by small hills.
The king sent regiments of Bafokeng men to the Kimberley diamond mines to earn cash wages to buy the land, which was then held in trust by Lutheran missionaries, in the era before black people could legally acquire land. In the 1920s, platinum deposits were discovered.
After the fall of racial apartheid, the Bafokeng fought and won a legal battle with mining giant Impala Platinum in 1999. It is now entitled to a 20% share of all the platinum mined in the region.
But critics say that the Bafokeng has become authoritarian and greedy. Although the king has reportedly invested pounds 150m on infrastructure, including improvements to clinics, schools and roads, four in 10 people are unemployed and see little of his riches.
Last October the Bafokeng tried to gain exclusive control of all land under its jurisdiction in an application to the Mafikeng High Court. This is opposed by communities who claim they fall under the political control of the Bafokeng only because of a quirk of colonial and apartheid history.
Eric Mokuoa, a co-ordinator for the Benchmarks Foundation, an organisation monitoring corporate social responsibility, said: "Some communities are not originally Bafokeng . This has been overlooked. In general, people are not happy about the way money has been spent. They feel they deserve a share of the wealth. In the areas where mining takes place there is poverty and unemployment. It is our view as a community the Bafokeng have been greedy."
Mokuoa feels that the Bafokeng 's positive reputation deserves closer scrutiny. "The administration is very powerful and has a way of attracting western media and showing them one side," he said. "It's
short-sighted to call it a success story when there are people in the system saying it's flawed. These people are voiceless and unable to express the alternative."
This view was echoed by Henk Smith of South Africa's Legal Resources Centre, which is representing the communities in the court case. "The Royal Bafokeng Nation has excellent PR," he said. "One would like to say it's a success story, but unfortunately there's a significant proportion left out of it. We have to look at the broader picture. There's a clear division between those who benefit and those who do not. A large majority are simply excluded. It depends on your status, which is related to your historic links with the royal family."
A spokesman for the Bafokeng denied that it serves only a narrow elite. " Bafokeng land is communal land, not owned by any individual but the community as a unit," Mpueleng Pooe said. "It was purchased through communal use of resources and that history is documented.
"The investments are made on behalf of the nation as a unit. The benefits flow back to the community and are deployed for the common good of the community. These pockets of people who want something different are missing these key issues."
On the imminent legal action, he said only: "As citizens of this country, anybody is entitled to approach the courts if they feel aggrieved about one situation or another."
England could not have asked for more generous hosts. The Royal Bafokeng Nation has provided Fabio Capello's men with a pounds 327m sports campus, including a state-of-the-art gym and medical centre and luxury bedrooms.
The hospitality has earned the Bafokeng huge international media attention, most of it overwhelmingly positive as the story is told of an African kingdom that won its autonomy - and the right to mine the
world's richest source of platinum.
But among the praise-singers for the Bafokeng there are dissenting voices. Local communities accuse its royal family of evicting them, polluting their water and looting their wealth - some of which was poured into England's training camp and the stadium where they faced the United States last night.
The dispute is heading for court as these communities resist an attempt by the Bafokeng to have new tracts of land in South Africa's North West province registered in its name.
"Over 60% of the land is underlain by platinum and other reserves," said community representative Thusi Rapoo. "They want the farms, the land registered in their name. We want the land registered in the community's name."
Far from the benevolent hosts portrayed by a skilful PR operation, the Bafokeng can be ruthless in getting what it wants, according to Rapoo, of the Bafokeng Land Buyers Association.
"The employment of security to guard the family and its mining operations, we call platinum looting," he said. "They have literally assaulted community members. Communities have been evicted from their homes because of mining. They have polluted our waters, taken our grazing areas. Our farmland is occupied by mining infrastructure. We are landlocked by it."
Rapoo argues that there is a wide gulf between the Bafokeng royal family, headed by king Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, and the ethnically diverse communities that fall under its jurisdiction, often inaccurately described as part of the Bafokeng nation.
"We have families who go to sleep on hungry stomachs in Bafokeng ," he added. "There have been demands for government houses, but the royal family are not really supportive of government assistance. It is an incorrect view to say the Bafokeng people are doing well. The Bafokeng family are doing well for themselves."
Bafokeng lore states that in the late 19th century, king Kgosi Mokgatle embarked on a land acquisition programme to secure his community's rights under pressure from Boers, hunters and traders moving into the rolling bushveld plains broken by small hills.
The king sent regiments of Bafokeng men to the Kimberley diamond mines to earn cash wages to buy the land, which was then held in trust by Lutheran missionaries, in the era before black people could legally acquire land. In the 1920s, platinum deposits were discovered.
After the fall of racial apartheid, the Bafokeng fought and won a legal battle with mining giant Impala Platinum in 1999. It is now entitled to a 20% share of all the platinum mined in the region.
But critics say that the Bafokeng has become authoritarian and greedy. Although the king has reportedly invested pounds 150m on infrastructure, including improvements to clinics, schools and roads, four in 10 people are unemployed and see little of his riches.
Last October the Bafokeng tried to gain exclusive control of all land under its jurisdiction in an application to the Mafikeng High Court. This is opposed by communities who claim they fall under the political control of the Bafokeng only because of a quirk of colonial and apartheid history.
Eric Mokuoa, a co-ordinator for the Benchmarks Foundation, an organisation monitoring corporate social responsibility, said: "Some communities are not originally Bafokeng . This has been overlooked. In general, people are not happy about the way money has been spent. They feel they deserve a share of the wealth. In the areas where mining takes place there is poverty and unemployment. It is our view as a community the Bafokeng have been greedy."
Mokuoa feels that the Bafokeng 's positive reputation deserves closer scrutiny. "The administration is very powerful and has a way of attracting western media and showing them one side," he said. "It's
short-sighted to call it a success story when there are people in the system saying it's flawed. These people are voiceless and unable to express the alternative."
This view was echoed by Henk Smith of South Africa's Legal Resources Centre, which is representing the communities in the court case. "The Royal Bafokeng Nation has excellent PR," he said. "One would like to say it's a success story, but unfortunately there's a significant proportion left out of it. We have to look at the broader picture. There's a clear division between those who benefit and those who do not. A large majority are simply excluded. It depends on your status, which is related to your historic links with the royal family."
A spokesman for the Bafokeng denied that it serves only a narrow elite. " Bafokeng land is communal land, not owned by any individual but the community as a unit," Mpueleng Pooe said. "It was purchased through communal use of resources and that history is documented.
"The investments are made on behalf of the nation as a unit. The benefits flow back to the community and are deployed for the common good of the community. These pockets of people who want something different are missing these key issues."
On the imminent legal action, he said only: "As citizens of this country, anybody is entitled to approach the courts if they feel aggrieved about one situation or another."
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04 June 2010
THEY GET RICH ON PLATINUM WHILST WE DIE FROM POLLUTION
Royal Bafokeng Nation, Anglo Platinum, and Impala Platinum are sell outs- the new economic apartheid.
We assert in our contest against the Royal Bafokeng Nation in the ongoing Mafikeng High Court Case 999/08 that our forefathers bought the land which the Bafokeng are claiming title to and on which there has been unaccountable and irresponsible mining by Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum and Xstrata mining companies.
We submit that the three mining companies, including others, are colluding with the South African National Government and the Royal Bafokeng Nation to rape the land of our forefathers, in the process maiming and suppressing dissenting voices against the injustices they perpetrate.
The poverty stricken communities of the Bafokeng Nation and the surrounding mine settlements live in abhorrent conditions mainly as a result of the mining operations. Besides our claims to our ancestral land, the Bafokeng communities are on a daily basis subjected to gross human, environmental and economic rights violations at the hands of these mining companies, the Royal Bafokeng Nation and the South African Government.
To protect their malicious interests, these perpetrators condone the formation and use of covert security companies, led by Zietsman (ex-Koevoet operative) and ex-soldiers of the former apartheid government’s covert military operations.
Our hard fought struggle for a Constitutional State have now sucked up to the exploitative, bloodsucking, neo-colonialist, multinational mining conglomerates.
So much for our liberation! So much for our Constitution! So much for our fallen heroes! So much for the freedom generation, our children, our future!
02 June 2010
‘It would not be difficult for an ambitious Lawyer to compile an environmental case against Impala’
Bafokeng Communities suffer the same fate at the hands of the mining companies as the Luka Community. Go to section 6.4 on page 18 in the second link below and see why it baffles us as to why we cannot really find help from authorities.
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B72gJZ75Jz7tNmRjYThhYTMtMzRkZC00M2U5LWI2MWMtNGE0OWE1MzdkZWJj&hl=en
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B72gJZ75Jz7tOGRiNmU3ODctYWNmYS00NTdiLTgxZWEtNzI2MjMxYjU2NTA5&hl=en
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B72gJZ75Jz7tNmRjYThhYTMtMzRkZC00M2U5LWI2MWMtNGE0OWE1MzdkZWJj&hl=en
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B72gJZ75Jz7tOGRiNmU3ODctYWNmYS00NTdiLTgxZWEtNzI2MjMxYjU2NTA5&hl=en
01 June 2010
Professor Partridge on house cracks at Luka Village caused by Impala Platinum mine blasting
Professor Partridge found in his first report that Impala Platinum Mine blasts causes houses cracks in Luka. In the peer review report, it was found that continued mine blasts will cause cracks and or exarcebate existing ones. Mine blasts have not stopped since and the authorities are silent. Luka Village is heavily undermined by Impala Platinum mine operations. Click on the link below for the report on the cracks.
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B72gJZ75Jz7tZDUyZDk1Y2ItZWE1Ny00Yzk4LWFmZDctOTFjY2M2MzQxZjQz&hl=en
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B72gJZ75Jz7tZDUyZDk1Y2ItZWE1Ny00Yzk4LWFmZDctOTFjY2M2MzQxZjQz&hl=en
06 April 2010
The affidavit of Bafokeng Land Buyers Association, Setuke Family and Thekwana Community opposing Royal Bafokeng Nation's Mafikeng High Court Application
Follow this link and enjoy .....
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B72gJZ75Jz7tOGIyMjFmNzgtOGRhZS00ZGIzLThjMDUtZDliZGYyNTliMWIx&hl=en
PS - You will have to read this document with Gavin Capps annexure found in the next link below this post
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B72gJZ75Jz7tOGIyMjFmNzgtOGRhZS00ZGIzLThjMDUtZDliZGYyNTliMWIx&hl=en
PS - You will have to read this document with Gavin Capps annexure found in the next link below this post
Land, Mineral Wealth and the Militarisation of the Bafokeng
Thokonoko writes
“In time of universal deceit, speaking the truth becomes a revolutionary act”- George Owell.
Corporate dictators are puppet-king makers as our beloved lands are pillaged and poisoned. Racial tensions will rise as exploiters divide to rule as never before in their century long wars. Without access to land or equitable distribution of resources wealth, we lay the foundation for a crime ridden, debt laden society. We must ask ourselves: is this the way? Despite immeasurable wealth, kleptocracies disguised as monarchies ensure a grinding poverty for the majority. South Africa has the greatest disparity between rich and poor with the highest incidence of AIDS, on earth! This is no small co-incidence. It is the ongoing legacy of an unfettered mining industry that cares not for the well being of the many whilst enriching the few.
The militarization of the Bafokeng
Regarding the alleged irregular spending of some R86million by Nial Caroll’s brother, Council instructed that those that were found to be responsible be fired. The Chief came to their defence and ordered that the Council would have to fire him (the Chief) first!
It is reported the Bafokeng Chief bought himself a fighter helicopter worth over R96 million. It is understood that the Bafokeng Council declined the purchase of the helicopter, but the Chief came personally in the following Council meeting and put the resolution to a vote. The majority voted for the purchase. There is word going around that the Bafokeng security company has also been recruiting retired ex soldiers from the then Bophuthatswana army and SADF. The Bafokeng Chief authorised the purchase of more security vehicles, many of which has been seen roving around in increasing numbers around the peace loving communities of Bafokeng. On Monday 22nd March, a recruitment drive was carried around Luka, calling for the unemployed to register at the Bafokeng Plaza for security courses, where after graduates will be trained for crowd control!
The Bafokeng security is led by a Adolph Zietsmann, allegedly an ex Koevoet operative and the mastermind behind the ‘militirisation’ of the Bafokeng. Social activists around Bafokeng communities are worried by the threat made by the Bafokeng Chief in two separate community meetings that he (the Chief) will use force against those who shows dissent to him. Should the Bafokeng community and civil society be worried? Should the national Security and Intelligence be concerned?
“In time of universal deceit, speaking the truth becomes a revolutionary act”- George Owell.
Corporate dictators are puppet-king makers as our beloved lands are pillaged and poisoned. Racial tensions will rise as exploiters divide to rule as never before in their century long wars. Without access to land or equitable distribution of resources wealth, we lay the foundation for a crime ridden, debt laden society. We must ask ourselves: is this the way? Despite immeasurable wealth, kleptocracies disguised as monarchies ensure a grinding poverty for the majority. South Africa has the greatest disparity between rich and poor with the highest incidence of AIDS, on earth! This is no small co-incidence. It is the ongoing legacy of an unfettered mining industry that cares not for the well being of the many whilst enriching the few.
The militarization of the Bafokeng
Regarding the alleged irregular spending of some R86million by Nial Caroll’s brother, Council instructed that those that were found to be responsible be fired. The Chief came to their defence and ordered that the Council would have to fire him (the Chief) first!
It is reported the Bafokeng Chief bought himself a fighter helicopter worth over R96 million. It is understood that the Bafokeng Council declined the purchase of the helicopter, but the Chief came personally in the following Council meeting and put the resolution to a vote. The majority voted for the purchase. There is word going around that the Bafokeng security company has also been recruiting retired ex soldiers from the then Bophuthatswana army and SADF. The Bafokeng Chief authorised the purchase of more security vehicles, many of which has been seen roving around in increasing numbers around the peace loving communities of Bafokeng. On Monday 22nd March, a recruitment drive was carried around Luka, calling for the unemployed to register at the Bafokeng Plaza for security courses, where after graduates will be trained for crowd control!
The Bafokeng security is led by a Adolph Zietsmann, allegedly an ex Koevoet operative and the mastermind behind the ‘militirisation’ of the Bafokeng. Social activists around Bafokeng communities are worried by the threat made by the Bafokeng Chief in two separate community meetings that he (the Chief) will use force against those who shows dissent to him. Should the Bafokeng community and civil society be worried? Should the national Security and Intelligence be concerned?
05 April 2010
Chaneng Community says Title Deed First!
On the 23rd January 2010, Chaneng community, which is a stone throw away from the world renowned Sun City Hotel, endorsed their intention to challenge the Mafikeng High Court application by the Bafokeng Royal Nation to have the community’s land, Styldrift 90JQ transferred in the name of the Royal Bafokeng Nation.
The community adopted the motto ‘TITLE DEED FIRST, NEGOTIATIONS AFTER! This was taken ‘to stop individuals to run to the Bafokeng and the mines to negotiate for themselves, selling-out the community by using the land claim to threaten the mines and the Bafokeng to enrich themselves’, warned March Motene, the community leader who has been in the forefront of the claim. March was confirmed by the community to be the organiser and coordinator of the land claim. She liaises the community claim with the other land claimants through the Bafokeng Land Buyers Association. She also facilitates communication with the community lawyers and the dissemination of information on the status and process of the claim.
The youth of Chaneng informed the community that it intended marching to the Styldrift project ( a mining project between the Bafokeng Royal Nation and Anglo Platinum) to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with what they described as false promises made by the Bafokeng to the community. ‘They are taking the community for granted’, exclaimed Joseph Mogobe, the community youth leader.
The community adopted the motto ‘TITLE DEED FIRST, NEGOTIATIONS AFTER! This was taken ‘to stop individuals to run to the Bafokeng and the mines to negotiate for themselves, selling-out the community by using the land claim to threaten the mines and the Bafokeng to enrich themselves’, warned March Motene, the community leader who has been in the forefront of the claim. March was confirmed by the community to be the organiser and coordinator of the land claim. She liaises the community claim with the other land claimants through the Bafokeng Land Buyers Association. She also facilitates communication with the community lawyers and the dissemination of information on the status and process of the claim.
The youth of Chaneng informed the community that it intended marching to the Styldrift project ( a mining project between the Bafokeng Royal Nation and Anglo Platinum) to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with what they described as false promises made by the Bafokeng to the community. ‘They are taking the community for granted’, exclaimed Joseph Mogobe, the community youth leader.
02 April 2010
The Inaugration of Kgosi Solly Rammereki Mekgwe of Baphiring of Luka
It was a historic day for many of the Baphiring community of Luka village, Phokeng, Rustenburg, to have witnessed the once in a life time inauguration of their Kgosi, Solly Rammereki Mekgwe. The ceremony, which coincided with the South African Human rights Day was graced by the presence of Kgosi Mabalane of Mabaalstadt, Kgosi Matlapeng of Molatedi and Kgosi Sefanyetso of Moubana, started at around 10am with a prayer and the hoisting of the Baphiring flag.
Lucas Mekgwe, in introducing guests, explained that Baphiring are an ancient community which was led by a chief when they arrived in the Phokeng-Rustenburg area. That the community actually settled near the present day Impala Platinum mine’s minerals processing plant, they were in fact on their way back home to their brothers and sisters who are now settled near Koster. Their journey was cut short by Paul Kruger who wanted to use them for slave labour in his fields.
Kgosi Mabalane thanked Baphiring for their continued quest for stronger ties with the Baphiring of Mabaalstadt and acknowledged the birth seniority of Baphiring of Luka.
Rakgadi wa Kgosi Mekgwe, Mme Basetsana Monaledi also gave a heartening speech on her undying love and respect for Baphiring. She pleaded and urged the community to love their incumbent Kgosi, and to open their hearts for him when he pays them well wishing visits at their homes. She said the spread of beauty can only be possible when there is love at home.
On behalf of the Rustenburg Local Municipality, Member of the Mayoral Committee, Councillor Olga Chauke promised to urge the powers that be, to declare the grave of Reverend Morrison, the American priest who established the AME church in Luka, and who is buried in the local graveyard (Lotia-Phiring) next to Kgosi ya Baphiring, Kgosi Ramotse Stuurman Mekgwe, as a heritage site.
The inauguration ritual involved the handing of a spear and a shield to the incumbent Kgosi by his rangwane (younger brother to Kgosi’s father). Symbolically, Kgosi would use the spear to attack community enemies and to defend the community using the shield.
In his acceptance speech, Kgosi Mekgwe promised to have an open door policy, and to consult with the community Council on all matters concerning his administration. He thanked the presence of Magosi and wished for stronger working relations amongst them going forward. Kgosi Mekgwe reiterated his commitment towards the community’s restitution claim for its ancestral land which includes Doornspruit 106JQ, Turfontein 262 JQ, Doornspruit 84JQ. Kgosi invited all 17 dikgosana of Kgotla-Kgolo ya Phiring to work together, and promised to launch a challenge that they be enrolled for service allowance (salaries) when serving as headmen. In conclusion, Kgosi wished for peace and rain.
Bame Mokgatlhe, thanked Baphiring for the gracious ceremony, and promised to urge his family, Kgotla ya Kgosing to support Baphiring in their quest for justice and land restitution. He said that there was enough for everyone in the Bafokeng to benefit from the Bafokeng wealth, and that it was improper for Kgosi to rule by himself without consulting with his family and the land buyers. He gave an analogy that when a three feet pot sagged on one leg under the heat of fire, it would eventually fall and all its wealth spilled for no one enjoy. He said that Bafokeng Kgosi and Kgosi Mekgwe himself, as heads of their constituencies, could not rule without the neck (Kgotla ya Kgosing/community council) and the body (being the communities at large).
In closing the ceremony, the former acting mayor of the Rustenburg Local Municipality, Mr. Phistus Sebedi Mekgoe, thanked all for coming, and urged the attendants to clap their hands for the conspicuous absence of the Bafokeng tribal Council who were invited to the ceremony, but never bothered to send an apology for their non-attendance.
The community clapped! The brass band rendered a national anthem, and the ceremony dispersed for festivities.
Lucas Mekgwe, in introducing guests, explained that Baphiring are an ancient community which was led by a chief when they arrived in the Phokeng-Rustenburg area. That the community actually settled near the present day Impala Platinum mine’s minerals processing plant, they were in fact on their way back home to their brothers and sisters who are now settled near Koster. Their journey was cut short by Paul Kruger who wanted to use them for slave labour in his fields.
Kgosi Mabalane thanked Baphiring for their continued quest for stronger ties with the Baphiring of Mabaalstadt and acknowledged the birth seniority of Baphiring of Luka.
Rakgadi wa Kgosi Mekgwe, Mme Basetsana Monaledi also gave a heartening speech on her undying love and respect for Baphiring. She pleaded and urged the community to love their incumbent Kgosi, and to open their hearts for him when he pays them well wishing visits at their homes. She said the spread of beauty can only be possible when there is love at home.
On behalf of the Rustenburg Local Municipality, Member of the Mayoral Committee, Councillor Olga Chauke promised to urge the powers that be, to declare the grave of Reverend Morrison, the American priest who established the AME church in Luka, and who is buried in the local graveyard (Lotia-Phiring) next to Kgosi ya Baphiring, Kgosi Ramotse Stuurman Mekgwe, as a heritage site.
The inauguration ritual involved the handing of a spear and a shield to the incumbent Kgosi by his rangwane (younger brother to Kgosi’s father). Symbolically, Kgosi would use the spear to attack community enemies and to defend the community using the shield.
In his acceptance speech, Kgosi Mekgwe promised to have an open door policy, and to consult with the community Council on all matters concerning his administration. He thanked the presence of Magosi and wished for stronger working relations amongst them going forward. Kgosi Mekgwe reiterated his commitment towards the community’s restitution claim for its ancestral land which includes Doornspruit 106JQ, Turfontein 262 JQ, Doornspruit 84JQ. Kgosi invited all 17 dikgosana of Kgotla-Kgolo ya Phiring to work together, and promised to launch a challenge that they be enrolled for service allowance (salaries) when serving as headmen. In conclusion, Kgosi wished for peace and rain.
Bame Mokgatlhe, thanked Baphiring for the gracious ceremony, and promised to urge his family, Kgotla ya Kgosing to support Baphiring in their quest for justice and land restitution. He said that there was enough for everyone in the Bafokeng to benefit from the Bafokeng wealth, and that it was improper for Kgosi to rule by himself without consulting with his family and the land buyers. He gave an analogy that when a three feet pot sagged on one leg under the heat of fire, it would eventually fall and all its wealth spilled for no one enjoy. He said that Bafokeng Kgosi and Kgosi Mekgwe himself, as heads of their constituencies, could not rule without the neck (Kgotla ya Kgosing/community council) and the body (being the communities at large).
In closing the ceremony, the former acting mayor of the Rustenburg Local Municipality, Mr. Phistus Sebedi Mekgoe, thanked all for coming, and urged the attendants to clap their hands for the conspicuous absence of the Bafokeng tribal Council who were invited to the ceremony, but never bothered to send an apology for their non-attendance.
The community clapped! The brass band rendered a national anthem, and the ceremony dispersed for festivities.
Mogono is robbed of a gallant, humble servant
Mogono youth found it strange that the late Tshepo Mputle, a tireless social and community activist, succumbed to a mysterious headache, at the time that the Mogono Community and the Mputle Family are opposing the Royal Bafokeng Nation’s (RBN) court application at the Mafikeng High Court. It is not strange to some, as another senior Councillor pointed out, that Tshepo had recently developed an ‘uncooperative’ tendency within the RBN Council, staging walk outs in some Council meetings he was not happy with.
Tshepo, an elected RBN Councillor for the Northern Region led the most difficult of the four regions, termed the ‘rebels region’. The region comprises of Luka, Mogono, Chaneng, Rasimone and Robega. Rapetsana, Head of Dikgosana in the Bafokeng Council, noted at the funeral, that Tshepo passed away at a time when they were both to embark on a programme to ‘work’ on the region.
The Mogono community remembers Tshepo for his active role in the Kgotla affairs, and for chairing a community Kgotla in around 2005/6 when Richard Spoor consulted with the Kgotla on their land, mining and environmental issues against Bafokeng and Impala mines. Tshepo was among a Kgotla delegation that travelled to the Department of Minerals and Energy’s offices in Klerksdorp to submit an objection by the Kgotla against Impala Platinum mine’s application for their new order mining rights. Tshepo Mputle was actively involved in the preparations for the inauguration of the late Kgosi Mogono, who was also very fond of the young Tshepo’s resilience. Kgosi Mogono passed away (also under mysterious circumstances) after serving only a year in office and having expressed his support for the community’s land restitution.
Following Tshepo’s funeral, Kgotla ya Mogono took a resolution on the 21st February 2010 to challenge the Application in the Mafikeng High Court by the Royal Bafokeng Nation to transfer and register the community’s farms: Klein Doornspruit 108JQ (Mogono) and Hartbeestspruit 88JQ (Melloe) into the name of the Royal Bafokeng Nation. The community wants the farms transferred and registered in the name of the community.
Tshepo, an elected RBN Councillor for the Northern Region led the most difficult of the four regions, termed the ‘rebels region’. The region comprises of Luka, Mogono, Chaneng, Rasimone and Robega. Rapetsana, Head of Dikgosana in the Bafokeng Council, noted at the funeral, that Tshepo passed away at a time when they were both to embark on a programme to ‘work’ on the region.
The Mogono community remembers Tshepo for his active role in the Kgotla affairs, and for chairing a community Kgotla in around 2005/6 when Richard Spoor consulted with the Kgotla on their land, mining and environmental issues against Bafokeng and Impala mines. Tshepo was among a Kgotla delegation that travelled to the Department of Minerals and Energy’s offices in Klerksdorp to submit an objection by the Kgotla against Impala Platinum mine’s application for their new order mining rights. Tshepo Mputle was actively involved in the preparations for the inauguration of the late Kgosi Mogono, who was also very fond of the young Tshepo’s resilience. Kgosi Mogono passed away (also under mysterious circumstances) after serving only a year in office and having expressed his support for the community’s land restitution.
Following Tshepo’s funeral, Kgotla ya Mogono took a resolution on the 21st February 2010 to challenge the Application in the Mafikeng High Court by the Royal Bafokeng Nation to transfer and register the community’s farms: Klein Doornspruit 108JQ (Mogono) and Hartbeestspruit 88JQ (Melloe) into the name of the Royal Bafokeng Nation. The community wants the farms transferred and registered in the name of the community.
Tsitsing Community can administer its own land
Three kraals/families of the Tsitsing community lay claim to Bierfontein 120JQ and Welbekend 117JQ. The families are incensed by the Mafikeng High Court order which granted (if there are no valid objections) transference and registration of the community’s farms in the name of the Royal Bafokeng Nation. The families claim to have previously stopped one project earmarked for a filling station on their land. They claim the Royal Bafokeng Nation had blessed the Project without consulting with them first on how the community was to benefit from the project.
Phillemon Khunou added that, there has been mining projects on Welbekend by Impala Platinum which the community has not been consulted on. “We want the title transferred and registered in the community name so that we are able to manage our own lands and just like those other communities like Mamerotse and Tantanana who are currently managing their own land through Communal Property Associations’. ‘We want to manage and administer our land for ourselves’, he emphasised. ‘The Bafokeng were initially afforded a fudiciary duty to administer our land for us, and not to benefit from the land and at our exclusion. The community of Tsitsing must be benefiting from their own land, and not the Bafokeng in Phokeng’, Phillemon, having been active in local politics since childhood observed that the recent ‘100 days to the 2010 World Cup’ celebrations were brought to Tsitsing Stadium during the time the Court Case was being heard in Mafikeng. ‘The community was not aware that there was a Court case going on in Mafikeng, they were brought this 100 days celebration event to distract them from seeing the real picture that their land was being transferred’, he fumed.
Phillemon Khunou added that, there has been mining projects on Welbekend by Impala Platinum which the community has not been consulted on. “We want the title transferred and registered in the community name so that we are able to manage our own lands and just like those other communities like Mamerotse and Tantanana who are currently managing their own land through Communal Property Associations’. ‘We want to manage and administer our land for ourselves’, he emphasised. ‘The Bafokeng were initially afforded a fudiciary duty to administer our land for us, and not to benefit from the land and at our exclusion. The community of Tsitsing must be benefiting from their own land, and not the Bafokeng in Phokeng’, Phillemon, having been active in local politics since childhood observed that the recent ‘100 days to the 2010 World Cup’ celebrations were brought to Tsitsing Stadium during the time the Court Case was being heard in Mafikeng. ‘The community was not aware that there was a Court case going on in Mafikeng, they were brought this 100 days celebration event to distract them from seeing the real picture that their land was being transferred’, he fumed.
Photsaneng Land Claim will be finalised
At a meeting held at Bleskop on the Makgatlha family in Photsaneng instructed their representatives to challenge the Mafikeng High Court application by the Bafokeng Royal Nation to have their land, Klipfontein 300JQ registered and transferred in the name of the Royal Bafokeng Nation. The family endorsed the submission done by the Bafokeng Land Buyers Association who opposes registration and transference of all the 50 + 11 farms until the claims by all the communities have been resolved. Interestingly, the Gauteng Land Claims Commission, who gazetted the Klipfontein 300JQ community land claim in June 2008 is also opposing the Bafokeng application. The family intends approaching the Land Claims Court to intervene to the slow and uncoorporative service by the Commission in expediting their claim. ‘The Bafokeng, by taking the matter to the Mafikeng High Court is simply applying a delaying legal tactic, distracting progress on the gazetted claim possibly through the Land Claims Court’, says Thusi Rapoo, family representative and organiser of the Bafokeng Land Buyers Association.
‘We will thrash out the case in Mafikeng and continue steadfastly to have the Commissioner and the Land Claims Court to finalise our gazetted claim’, he said assertively.
‘We will thrash out the case in Mafikeng and continue steadfastly to have the Commissioner and the Land Claims Court to finalise our gazetted claim’, he said assertively.
Some are benefiting from the Bafokeng….
Marakana-
The community of Marakana (Mosenthal) has the strongest evidence that shows that they bought their land Tweedepoort 283JQ to the exclusion of the broader Bafokeng ‘tribe’ and for their own exclusive use, Missionary PH Wenhold states it clearly in his affidavit that the farm was bought by the community which was then under the leadership of Modisakeng, Mogajane Mahuma and Mogoboa. Concerned community members who have approached the Bafokeng Land Buyers Association for assistance, are worried that some members of the community are afraid of coming out in support of the claim. ‘Some are benefiting from Bafokeng while others are simply afraid of witchcraft and dying’ said one of the members.
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