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The Batlokwa Boo Kgosi Traditional Community of Molatedi Village originated from
a place inside the current Madikwe Game Reserve known as Tshwene-Tshwene around
1886. The arrival of white settlers in the area and their demands for taxes prompted
the community to move to an area outside the control of the settlers. At the time
of the move from their ancestral home around Tshwene-Tshwene, they were led by Sebolao,
(Rangwaneakgosi - meaning ‘paternal uncle’) the paternal uncle of Mloloe, who was
still a youngster. The name Molatedi came about as a result of this community promising
their brother, Gaberone that they would follow him from their ancestral home around
Tshwene-Tshwene into Botswana. However they decided to move to the eastern side
of the Marico River and settled in what is now the Molatedi Village in 1886, and
where they have resided ever since. Gaborone moved to the present site of Gaborone,
the capital of Botswana.
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Mholoe ultimately took over the reigns of traditional leadership from his paternal
uncle, and in turn passed the reigns of leadership to his eldest son, Tlhageng.
By the time Tlhageng came of age he was already recognised by the government of
the time as the kgosi or traditional leader. During the term of Kgosi Tlhageng there
was little infra-structural development embarked upon by the community or by local
government.
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Kgosi Tlhageng was succeeded by his eldest son Mokgatle Stephen Matlapeng (affectionately
known as Topoti and the father of the current Kgosi) in 1968. During his term as
Kgosi he established Tlhageng Primary School, the Local Clinic and the Traditional
Administration Offices. He passed away in 1983 after an unsuccessful brain tumor
operation at Garankuwa Hospital. He was succeeded by his younger brother Leserwa
Kagiso John Matlapeng, who acted for a period of sixteen years for the present Kgosi
Bafshoe Frans Mogalenyana Matlapeng, who was officially inaugurated on the 1st May
1999.
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Numerous programs covering skills development, empowerment and training have started
during the reign of Kgosi Bafshoe Frans Mogalenyana Matlapeng. The involvement of
various institutions and organizations including Mafisa Consulting facilitated in
unpacking and structuring the business opportunity for community development in
Madikwe Game Reserve as offered by North-West Parks & Tourism Board. The concept
and idea of a community lodge was presented and Sebolao Development Trust was formed
as a legal entity representing the community of Molatedi. The Trust is made up of
members of the community. The trust has also engaged the services of Potchefstroom
University to assist with the training of trustees regarding their roles and responsibilities.
The Nature Workshop provided the expertise regarding the design, development and
on-going operational input for Thakadu River Camp.
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Today the Molatedi Community is proud to own an asset in the form of a commercial
lodge as an ecotourism product within the Madikwe Game Reserve. The camp was officially
opened on 11 August 2006.
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