THE HISTORY OF THE BAROLONG IN THE DISTRICT OF MAFIKENG: A STUDY OF THE INTRA-BATSWANA ETHNICITY (original) (raw)

Is my work both in conception and execution and that information drawn from other sources has been duly acknowledged. ……………………………………………. Malose Daniel Ramoroka iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my parents: My Pedile Johannes Ramoroka You were the pillar of strength And my mother Motshemane Melita Ramoroka You are the depository of all my knowledge iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my gratitude to Dr Z.J Mashiyane, who served as my supervisor for this research. You were unfailingly available for my questions and concerns and always ready with thoughtful suggestions and insights. You unwavering commitment in reading this research and making me correct errors of editorial and topographical nature is highly appreciated. Many thanks to other experts associated with the University of Zululand including Dr Twala who encouraged me to enrol with the University and Dr Shamase who read this research meticulously and made his inputs. I am also indebted to Prof Mbenga who was my Supervisor for my Master Degree at the University of Northwest and the co-supervisor professor Manson. The two academic supervisors have patiently moulded me into becoming an academic scholar. They have encouraged me to pursuit the study of ethnicity and political culture within the Barolong. Their inputs in this research are highly appreciated. To my friends within the Barolong Kgotla including chief Matlaba, chief Motshewakhumo, and the Molema's family at Maratiwa in the Stad, I appreciate your oral tradition and primary documentation on the history of the Barolong which you provided to me. The vigour of the royalists at this Kgotla in assisting me record the reminiscences of the Barolong is pleasing. For chief Matlaba I appreciate the fact that you went an extra-mile in making available to me elders from your communities who gave an account of the past actions and activities of Barolong through oral tradition. I also wish to thank the staff at Mafikeng Museum who accommodated me almost on a dally basis and provided me with necessary information. I am also appreciative of the information that I have received from the National Archives of South Africa. The staff in this archive has supported me and I was encouraged by their commitment towards ensuring that I access valuable information regarding the Barolong National Council. I also wish to acknowledge the support of all the Barolong chiefs, head men and ordinary members of the Barolong communities who voluntarily provided valuable information for this research and this would not be been brought to fruition without your support. Lastly, I wish to thank my wife, Lizzy and my child Bontle, for your support and encouragement. I appreciate you more than words can express. v v A AB BS ST TR RA AC CT T This study focuses on, among other issues, the early 'nationalist' among the Barolong, that is, the Barolong National Council (BNC), formed by the traditional leaders and clerics in the central Transvaal and northern and central Orange Free State in the early 1900s(NASA,Vol.12,1917). Its geographic axises were centred in Kimberly, Mafikeng, Kroonstad and Johannesburg. Its role was both to combat divisive political practices among the Barolong (which alienated already established nationalist-minded leaders like Solomon Plaatje and Chief Montshiwa of the Ratshidi of Mafikeng) and to create a distinctive cultural and economic epi-centre for what they loosely defined as 'Barolong interest'. This study unravels these neglected ethnic dimensions of early Barolong politics(NASA,Vol.12,1917). The study also seeks to explore the source and the nature of the conflict between two Barolong groups, the Ratshidi and the Rapulana. Firstly it highlights the break-up of the Barolong kingdom after the death of the Barolong king Tau in about 1670 and the polarisation of the Barolong into different sections which developed ultimately into independent chiefdoms such as the Ratlou, Ratshidi, Seleka and Rapulana (Molema,1950: 3). Their relationship during the difaqane and their encounter with the Boers and British, which marked the beginning of the conflict over the Barolong paramountcy between the Ratshidi and Ratlou, are examined. The contribution of the Boers and the British to the contestation over the land of the Barolong is outlined. The consequences of the engagement of the Rapulana and the Ratshidi in the now famous siege of Mafikeng is also explored, in the context of Rapulana-Ratshidi relations. The dynamics of the power relations in Bechuanaland, is analysed. The main focus of this research is the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries because it was a period of intensified disputes that were ultimately fought in court between the Ratshidi and Rapulana. This study also deals with the rise of missionary activities among the Barolong which led to the development of the elites who contributed to the ethnic conflict.