Leadership kgosi & Balekgotla/Traditional executive committee

History of Pitsong / Picong
History :

The village is situated at the southwestern direction from manthe the traditional head office of Batlhaping ba ga maidi.

Pitsong sometimes also spelt as Picong is headed by local kgosi Kesekwaile Konrad Motlhabane being the fourth royal head of the village from the founding kgosi Tshite Motlhabane,hence kgotla ya ga Tshite( Local traditional court of Tshite.

This royal house is second and under the royal house headed by Kgosi-kgolo Nyoko Motlhabane of Batlhaping ba ga maidi based in Manthe.
Other detail :

Pitsong is good place to live in, good for social growth and harmony for the adolescence, it is the place where people are polite, helpful and cooperate with each other as a community for the betterment of their live Childhood , there are no recreational facilities at present time as local government has not as yet started to invest in rural villages.

The youth in this village are encouraged to read and keep to their books.

The only sport for the young ones remain but soccer and netball.
OUR HISTORY: Linkage of Kgotla ya ga Tshite in Batlhaping ba ga Maidi

The patrilineal succession of the Batlhaping bag a Maidi Monarchs have been traced back from royal leadership of Barolong in lianage of Tawana and the following were:-

Maidi

Matlakale

Mocumi /Motsumi

Ngake I

Pholoholo I

Motlhabane I

Sethapi & Tshite

Moshosho & PholoholoII

Nyoko William & Moleko

Letsie Walter

Nyoko Charles- Current senior traditional leader of the Batlhaping ba ga Maidi

The traditional leadership of Picong is from the branch –clan of Tshite who had other sons in another house but only one survived to adulthood (Kesekwaile I who was married to Maipelahatso daughter of Kesegane Seepamere.

KGOTLA YA GA TSHITE- PICONG

Kgosi Tshite late 1800-1938

Kgosi Kesekwaile I 1938-1992

Kgosi Mopalami 1992- 2010

Kgosi Kesekwaile II 2010 to Date
Initial Pitsong Village

Leadership-Kgosi

Kgosi Kesekwaile II is a hereditary leader born in the Motlhabane royal family, under the Clan of Kgosi Tshite the second in line to Kgosi Sethapi the eldest son of Kgosi Motlhabane.

Tshite’s house is one of the senior members of the Batlhaping bag a Maidi Royal family and constitute a critical paternal uncles for all decisions that involves traditional leadership of Batlhaping bag a Maidi and all its clans of the to the senior traditional leadership.

From the house from which Tshite was born was Setlhogomi who was the younger brother to tshite.

It is from this house that succeeded Kesekwaile I, Mopalami to the current hereditary leader of the clan being Kesekwaile II.

A traditional leader (Kgosi)is always aided by his wife in Setswana customs and traditions

Balekgotla

A normal and established traditions indicates to us that Kgosi/kgosana rule his people through assistance of the elders in his community/Morafe. These individuals previously mostly men/but not limited males, who are head of Clans / families constitute what is called Balekgotla. / Council or committee of assistants to traditional leader.

In the practice of Batlhaping bag a Maidi: -Kgotla ya ga Tshite, has for many years used a selected heads of clans of individuals or members of the clans to assist kgosi.

Running the affairs of the community and being accountable to the senior traditional leader for all matters of importance for community.

The current Balekgotla are:-

Mr Legabura Goitseone

Mr Mmutle Mongwaketse

Mr Phomolo Kwena

Mr Senyatso John Mocwiri

Mr Itlhobogeng Sebico (deceased)

Mr Lesego Matong –Secretary of the Kgotla

NB: Vacancies Balekgotla are still to be filled for those deceased & Balekgotla constitute the Executive Committee at local level.

THE LOGO & ITS MEANING

Sejana/ Calabash-

Sejana se dirisewa go tsenya Dijo, Metsi le Mashi le tse di nowang-Se shupa motswedi wa botshelo ke dijo le metsi le go shupa motswedi wa kabelano le ba bangwe.

It represent the food resources of all kinds especially for staple foods, water and milk which are the basic food supplements for survival.

It also represent the source of giving others.

Tholo/Kudu:-

Ba ga Maidi ke dinamane tsa tholo go tswa ko moding ,Ke ba bina tholo ka kgora boo Maidi , ke matlhogela a ga Tawana-Phologolo e dinaka di matshope-tshopeo tsa ba ga Tawana go tswa ko go Tawana:/ Tholo Kudu is our totem animal, which symbolises our heritage and roots as Batlhaping and we share this equally with Barolong as we have common ancestry.

Tlhapi/ Fish

Re ba bina Tholo ba “ana” Tlhapi- Go simolola ko nokeng e Tshetlha/Vaal river le meeditsane a yone a kolong.

We have Kudu as our totem animal and reverse fish as alternative food during pasturing and nomadic years of our forefathers along the Vaal River and its tributaries such as Harts river/Kolong-so fish became our simple for survival.

Yet Tholo by birth and fish for survival.

NB Its for this reason that we have both Kudu & Fish on our logo as Batlhaping.

Thebe/Shield :-

Thebe e shupa tshireletso mo tlhabanong ka dibetsa ebile e dirwa ka letlalo la kgomo, Modimo oo nko e metsi- Shield is for protection of all our people as traditional leadership we lead by defending and protecting all our people using shield from all attaches physical of social ills , Symbolises a sign of refuge/botshabelo ba dikhutsana.

Thobane/Knobkerrie/Walking stick-

Thobane ya boeteledipele ke mashupa ditsela. Ke ya tshireletso ya potlako le go bontsha makgabaganyo a ditsela. Thobane ke seikokotlelo mo tseleng ya botshelo. It’s used as instrument of leadership, Thobane ke seshupo sa Bodisa- E bontsha fa “”Kgosi ele modisa yo mogolo” It is further used to point the directions, It blocks unexpected attacks, and can be signal of peace.

Lerumo /Spear-

It’s used as instrument of war and peace making. The spear of the nation/ tribe/community. Ke lerumo la segae, Le dirisiwa go lwa ntwa ya maatla le go iphemela.

Lerumo la phemelo ya morafe le setshaba fa go tlhokega.

Centre of shield has the following:-Marang a Letsatsi/Sun’s rays around Pitso tree with people in attendance: –

symbolises the dawn of hope, life and the source of energy, symbolises the power of the universe above all creation, over the people who shelters under big kgotla tree of traditional leadership meeting place. Marang a letsatsi, ke motlhodi wa tshepo Modimo mo bathong, ke kgalalelo ya botshelo, maatla a bosaitseweng jwa tlholego mo ditsheding tsotlhe. Re le batho re tshabela mo moriting wa setlhare sa Pitso ya kgotla le bogosi.

PROFILE
Konrad Kesekwaile Motlhabane

Kesekwaile is the second born child of the late Mopalami and Tesanyo Motlhabane all born and bred in Picong village.

Being the first born son in the family of 11 children he had to work hard for the benefit of assisting parents in the uplifting of the family through ensuring schooling and work opportunities.

Kesekwaile is married to Kentsheng Agnes nicknamed Pinky and the family has three children of two boys and a girl.

Kesekwaile, grow up and stayed in the village for the most part of his youthful years raised through a domestic working mother assisted by grandparents when the father Mopalami was still working as was a full time foreman at SAR South African railway now TRASNET before retiring to take up the role of traditional leadership in 1985 to assist his by then old father Kesekwaile (Senior)who was aging and needed his heir apparent to assist him until such times the Lord call him home Mopalami took full responsibility after the passing of Kesekwaile (senior) from 1992 until he passed away in mid 2010 , where after Kesekwaile Konrad ascended to the role as the local traditional leader and Kgosi of Picong community under Kgosi e kgolo Nyoko Motlhabane who is a senior traditional leader for Batlhaping Ba ga Maidi.

Kesekwaile is the fourth hereditary leader of this village since the Kgosi Tshite Motlhabane who led Three settlements of bigger Pitsong &Sekantshing and Dikhuting at the time from around 1913 until his passing away1938 when Kesekwaile Snr then took over until 1992. As custodians of culture,customs and tradition the abovementioned traditional leaders of this linage are members of the following cultural initiation schools’s Regiments/ Mephato and therefore are its commanders/assistant commanders:

Regiment/ Mephato:

Tshite Motlhabane belong and led mophato wa Majapoo.

Kesekwaile 1 was of mophato wa Maakakapula.

Mopalami was of Mophato wa Mashela

Kesekwaile II is of Mophato wa Madirakgosi.

The modern focus of traditional leadership is among others to

Ensure nation building,

Strengthen social cohesion

Driving specific community development projects initiatives for this century to better the people’s life where they work live and Play.

Initiations schools graduation or celebration

Mr Moshe Initiation school graduated initiates
Kgosi KKMotlhabane of Picong attended as two of royal members graduated on 31/12/ 2021.
Some pictures show the arrival of Bana ba bogosi at Kgotla ya ga Tshite- Royal kraal,Picong.

Mophato wa Bogosi/Customary Initiation school-2022” Maratakgosi”
During the 2022 initiation season in Batlhaping ba ga Maidi Traditional leadership area there were 20 males and 14 females’ initiation schools approved.
In Picong village the customary initiation school was led by the village Traditional leader Konrad Kesekwaile Motlhabane, who was conducting his first customary male initiation since he took over the reins following his late father kgosi Mopalami’s death in 2010.
The purpose was customarily initiating his grandson Sethapi and other members of the Royal family in a true Setswana customs/mophato wa Setswana.
To add cherry on top the paternal aunt (Rakgadi) Mrs Ngwanakhumo Kehusitse partnered with traditional leadership to conduct the first females’ initiation in Picong village by royals since the time of kgosi Tshite and Tshenolo.
Ultimately it was a great success in that Sethapi was joint by kgosi Marumaame Molefe a regent serving as traditional leader in Morokweng village and the females were joint by kgosigadi Keorapetse Motlhabane regent serving Kokomeng village.
There was a total of one hundred and twenty seven (127) males initiates and five (5 )initiates which was considered a huge success for the first times principals.
Also part of this from Motlhabane families were Orateng and Onalerona Motlhabane.
Started 29/11/2022 and graduated 31 December 2022
Appreciation: I would like to thank first my family, brothers and sisters who their encouragement; the members of the my community and neighbouring communities who supported me in this initiative, some of whom made a great sacrifices and good judgement in bringing their sons to this noble course. I also want to thank my own principal and Mentors (Mr Alec “Shakes” Tsiane and Mr Ruben Mmui Matsepe a former colleague and friend for their support and ultimately thank the almighty God, for his blessings and the spirits of my departed forefathers (Ancestors) for being in the realm of my going and coming in this cultural and customary practice of their own.
………………………………………………..
Mopahato wa maitibulo/ntlha wa ga kgosi Konrad Kesekwaile Motlhabane, o bolotse mo Picong ka 29 Ngwanaitsele 2022 wa aloga ka 31 Sedimonthole 20222. E nnile mophato o atlegileng tota, ka kemo nokeng ya morafe wa mo gae le bagaetsho ba mafelo a a mabapi.
Ke motlotlo ka mophato oo seriti wa Bogosi ka tshegetso ya balekgotla le bo morwa Rre, bagaetsho Ba ga Maidi mono Picong le go tswa kwa ntle. Ke mophato wa bogosi ka go nne go bolola ngwana wa bogosi. Sethapi ke morwa wa ntlha wa ga Mopalami II/Letlhogonolo. One a patilwe ke makolwane a le lekgolo masome a mabedi le bosupa(127) le Bojale jwa makgarebe a le matlhano(5).Mophato o gorogile ka pula !!!Ke leboga Modimo ka ditshegofatso tsotlhe le badimo bagaetsho- Motswana orile “Fa badimo ba sa rate dinkgo di awa”. Ba re beile leitlho bogolo jang fa re tsamaya mo tseleng ya setso sa bone, ebile ga sena go nyelela.

TSHITE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Pitsong Primary school/@Tshite buildings

The school is currently using the buildings that were built to accommodate Tshite Middle school which was down sized during the rationalisation process of schools.

Tshite Middle school was started during the era of the former Bophuthatswana government which had a category of middle schools between the primary and high school levels.

Tshite as a school was initially situated between Picong and Dikhuting villages, which was an effort to make good numbers of scholars from these two communities.

Tshite as a middle school was rationalised and pupils relocated to the neighbouring schools.

Pitsong primary school was started by Roman Catholic Church in 1958 and it carried on using church building as class rooms until the forced relocation the community from the old village side to the southern side of Sekantshing tributary /stream during February 1973.

The relocation of February 1973 forced the community to start afresh with little support from government to build the Pitsong Primary school at its initial site in 1973 near the current Catholic Church. The school operated from there until the building was no longer safe for use due to structural defects and poor workmanship.

The current school was then relocated to occupy part of Tshite Middle school buildings until today.

The school serve the local community as foundation phase for basic education but the very small roll of pupils, has a direct correlation with the resources the department of Basic education will allocate for the running of the school.

At some point, it will be necessary for the parents in this community to evaluate the total cost of education to their children against the total wellbeing of the children who travel to attend school somewhere far from home.

There is also a need to improve the community confidence in the quality of teaching at the local school which is also influenced by the relationship of the teaching staff with parents.

Departmental resourcing is key to ensure adequate numbers of teachers at the school.
GALLERY
The performance of Tshite Primary school acknowledged on 13 June 2023
The principal Ms Seokamo and her management team came to present a (POE) Portfolio of Evidence of her school excellence in school choral music to the local kgotla meeting. People present at this special occasion were parents, local community members Kgosi Kesekwaile II Motlhabane.
The pupil rendered to the cheering parents few items of their songs, and thereafter Mrs Kentsheng Pinky Motlhabane presented a Token of appreciation in a form of “Sefoka sa Bogosi Royal Award “to both the Principal Ms Seokamo and the Conductor Mrs GG Mocwiri. The first ever to be awarded by royal leader at local village level. The school wand its management was praised for the Excellence and making, Picong community proud, Well Done!!!

KESEKWAILE SERVICE CLUB NPO

Setheo se sa Kesekwaile Service Club se simolotswe ke mme Makgarebe Mothami, ka go bopa setlhopa sa bagodi gore ba dire sengwe mmogo le go netefatsa gore bagolo ba itirela molemo ka go tsaya karolo mo thutong le ekatiso ya mmele go efoga matshwenyego a malwetsi le bokowa jo bo sa tlhokegeng.

The NPO was established and registered during 2016 through tribal resolution that accepted the establishment thereof, with the committee established to run the affairs of the organisation.

The community allocated the NPO service club at least two class rooms for the purposes of accommodation and activities of the of the older persons activities.

The organisation has a bank account and is depended on the funding from the Department Social development.