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

Under the Malebogo royal family, the Bahananwa were divided and
governed by the senior headmen Kubu, Molebo, Theledi, Pholoba, Phala
and Manaka (Phatudi) 281 . The other junior leaders who were referred to as
borammotwana included Kobe, Mamokhibidu, Manaka (Radimang),
Mochemi, Nailana, Sebaiwa, Bodirwa, Molele (Ga Maponto), Molele (Ga
Molete), Motsepa and Tefo 282 . The missionaries began to spread the
Gospel in all these communities and hoped to convert them to Christianity.
Indeed new identities emerged as some people became converts. Christian
congregations mushroomed in most villages of the above-mentioned senior
and junior headmen.
Negotiations between missionary Beyer and Kgoši Matsiokwane yielded
positive fruits for the missionaries as the chief allowed the establishment of
a mission station on his land. On 9 th March 1868, Beyer founded the first
mission station in Blouberg and he called it Leipzig, in remembrance of his
city of birth back in Germany 283 . Although Beyer was initially welcomed by
the Bahananwa authorities, his activities soon proved to be in conflict with
the Bahananwa ways of life. The differences between the missionary and
the authorities - which will be discussed later under social customs - led to
281 Interview, Robert Manaka, Inveraan village, 29 December 2004.
282 Ibid.
283 M. Jackel, Gananoa, p. 6.
166