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Microsoft Word - PhD Thesis Final.pdf - University of Limpopo ...

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Bakone, but later allowed to move on to Makgabeng as their land in Matlala<br />

Location had been confiscated 193 .<br />

The royal house name, Matlala, was hereditary for the Bakone chiefs. They<br />

adopted thlhantlhagane (scaly-feathered flinch) as their totem. This has<br />

been a distinctive Bakone identity marker up to this day. After the Bakone<br />

had settled for some time, one <strong>of</strong> Kgoši Matlala’s sons, Rakodi, travelled to<br />

Makgabeng, followed the small Ngwepe group, and settled there with his<br />

own people 194 . Kgoši Matlala, fearing that Rakodi intended to establish<br />

himself as an independent leader, sent a force to attack him. Rakodi and a<br />

number <strong>of</strong> his people were killed 195 . Rakodi’s sons, Mathekga and Mojela<br />

then separated. The former settled in the Soutpansberg mountains, and the<br />

latter occupied the area along the banks <strong>of</strong> Mogalakwena River 196 .<br />

However, Mathekga and Mojela later returned to Makgabeng due to<br />

stressful periods <strong>of</strong> attacks especially by the Matebele during<br />

Mfecane/Difaqane. Mojela was succeeded by his son Maphutha, who was<br />

also succeeded by his son, Matsena 197 . The Bakone <strong>of</strong> Matlala had<br />

influence and also wielded authority over most <strong>of</strong> the Sotho groups in the<br />

193 B. Tyrrel and P. Jurgens, African Heritage, p. 44.<br />

194 Transvaal Native Affairs Department, Short History, p. 45.<br />

195 Ibid, p. 45.<br />

196 Ibid, p. 45.<br />

197 Ibid, p. 45.<br />

116

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