Residents of Manyeding village, outside Kuruman in the Northern Cape, have expressed joy over the opening of tribal offices in the area.
The John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust, funded by some Northern Cape mines, has marked Heritage Day by opening the much-needed tribal offices valued at over R7 million to the Baga-Jantjie tribe.
Residents say the tribal offices will make their lives much easier.
The new tribal offices are in the middle of the little village. It’s hoped the offices, with an amphitheater and cooking area, will not only assist in preserving the culture and heritage of Batswana. But also attract tourists and much-needed jobs to the area. Various artists and crafters of traditional wares have exhibition space here. Residents have praised the initiative.
CEO of the JTG Developmental Trust, Tumelo Mpolokeng says the tribal office will bridge the gap between traditional leaders and communities.
The tribal offices also feature a statue of the late Kgosi Enewang II Jantjie, who died last year. He was a champion for the fight for land following the dispossession of the Bathlaping land in 1896.
Kgosi Pelonomi Toto, Chairperson of the Northern Cape House of Traditional leaders, says the offices are much more than just walls.
A successor to Kgosi Enewang II Jantjie is yet to be chosen and coronated. This is expected to happen later this year.
The John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust – funded by some NCape mines will mark #heritageday2021 by donating a tribal office valued at over R 7 million to the Baga-Jantjie tribe at Manyeding village near Kuruman. Residents say the tribal office will make live easier. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/7k2bHkxNFh
— Ulrich Hendriks (@UlrichHendriks) September 24, 2021
Good news for the Batswana Kingdom in Kuruman:
