TRADITIONAL COUNCIL
Batlhaping Ba-Ga-Mothibi
Batlhaping Ba-Ga-Mothibi Tribe under the control of Ba-Ga-Mothibi Traditional Administration has been in existence since the early 15th Century. The first chief of Ba-Ga-Mothibi was Kgosi Mmile who was succeeded by the following chiefs:
The current Chief of Ba-Ga-Mothibi, Kgosi Ponatshego Mothibi, who holds a Diploma in Management, was installed in June 2016 as a regent for her niece, Obakeng Mothibi, who is currently focusing on his studies.
Kgosi Ponatshego Mothibi and the Traditional Administration (comprising 8 headmen, 4 community members and 2 royal family members and 10 elected members) will focus mainly on building & growing the legacy of Batlhaping Ba-Ga Mothibi through fighting for a better life and empowerment of the community.
Ba-Ga-Mothibi Traditional Council is responsible for fourteen villages (in the South Western part of Greater Taung) starting from Lower Majeakgoro all the way to Rietfontein
The unique features and attractions within the jurisdiction of Ba-Ga- Mothibi include:
Kgosi Mothibi believes that the cooperative relationship between the Municipality and Tribal Councils is important as the Tribal Council would contribute land while the Municipality would bring in basic and necessary services. She believes that this can only ensure overall improvement of the quality of life of local communities.
Batlhaping Ba-Ga-Phuduhucwana
Ba-Ga-Puduhucwana Tribal Council has been serving the people of Taung Central and neighbouring villages for a period in excess of one hundred years. The Tribal Council is made up of the sitting Chief, the Chief’s Uncle, Chiefs of surrounding Villages, such as Magogong, Mocweding, Mokasa, Mokgareng, Buxton, Vaaltein, Leshobo, Matlapaneng, Dry Harts, Mogopela, Myra, Lokaleng and Manokwane as well as the Chief’s chosen villagers. The council has been led by the following chiefs:
- Kgosi Kgosietsile
- Kgosi Keehe
- Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane
- Kgosi Molehabangwe
- Kgosi Molale
- Kgosi Mankuroane
- Kgosi Thapama
Currently ruled by Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroanne, son of the late Kgosi Keehe Mankuroane, Ba-Ga-Puduhucwana Tribal Council prides itself in Thomeng, Dinkgwaneng and Blue Pool as the main tourist attractions and heritage sites under its jurisdiction.
Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane holds an LLB Degree from the University of the North West, which has adequately prepared him for presiding over matters affecting the community and conflict resolution.
It is Kgosi Mankuroane’s intention to empower the community of Greater Taung under his jurisdiction to take advantage of the gradually improving economic condition in the area. Kgosi Mankuroane also believes that his subjects should be empowered so-that they can benefit from the Agricultural as well as Tourism potential of Taung.
The Chief is satisfied with the cooperative relationship between his Council and Greater Taung Local Municipality. It is his view that this relationship will go a long in enabling the community of Taung to use the land in order to grow the local economy.
Batlhaping Ba-Ga-Maidi
Batlhaping Ba-Ga-Maidi tribe has been in existence since 1835. The disagreement between Maidi (son of Tawana) and Tawana (leader of Barolong) resulted in Maidi leading a group of Barolong away from the place where Tawana had settled to go and settle in what is now known as Makwasie. Maidi’s people then moved to go and settle in Botswana, then Thaba-Nchu (where they lived side-by-side with Kgosi Moroka’s people). After spending time in Thaba-Nchu they settled in Potchefstroom before moving to Manthe.
The first Chief of Ba-Ga-Maidi was Kgosi Motlhabane (who led his people from Potchefstroom to Manthe). Kgosi Kgantlapane took over as a regent for Sethapi’s sons, who were still young at the time. Kgosi Moshosho took over, followed by the reign of Kgosi Nyoko William Motlhabane, which continued until Kgosi Letsie Walter Motlhabanae took over in 1958. The reign of Kgosi Letsie Motlhabane continued until he passed away and Kgosi Nyoko Charles Motlhabane took over in October 2005.
The current chief is Kgosi Kelebone Motlhabane (brother and regent for Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane who is the current Mayor of Greater Taung Local Municipality). Kgosi Motlhabane is a teacher by profession and his biggest interest is to work in collaboration with relevant institutions to transform Ba-Ga-Maidi into an economically viable tribe.
Ba-Ga-Maidi Tribal Council comprises 37 members, The Chief, twelve chieftains – representing twelve villages stretching from Khudutlou to Manthe and twenty-four elected representatives.
Some of the unique features in the authority’s area of jurisdiction include: