Tau ya Moletsane

 previously: History of Bataung

Bataung are from the House of Rolong

Makgothi Moletsane Abraham - Tau wa Mophethe

Makgothi/Makhothi, son of Mophethe (clan BaMophethe le Thulo) was born about 1788 who became a famous chief (should be called King of Bataung). Makgothi's mother, Modiha'me/Moliha'me who had children before Makgothi but dead in infancy, they believed cause of death was spirits. In order to escape the evil spirits Modiha'me sent the infant Makgothi to an outlying cattle-post to be reared by the Bushmen herders of his father. The Bushmen were happy that chief Mophethe trusted them with his heir, they took great care of the boy. They showed him much affection and made him a girdle of shells of ostriches eggs called moletsa.

The name Moletsane was a nickname for Makgothi wa Mophethe. Makgothi, now Moletsane was circumcised on the plain of Motloangtloang in 1803 during a famine. Chief Mokgele of the second family (clan BaMokgele-Rampai le Sobi) used to send men to destroy the growing crops of BaMophethe. More conflicts between the clans BaMokgele and BaMophethe: which saw the death of a great warrior called Kiritle which stopped Mokgele's men from fighting BaMophethe. Mokgele's further weakness in tribal affairs had its natural effect in bringing about a revolt of his sons (Sekaledi and Motsetsele) against his authority. Sekaledi, Motsetsele and their maternal grandfather Phere conspired together to depose Mokgele also known as Rampai.

Mokgele thought it better to marry Moletsane to his own daughter Mpai-Mamoretlo. It was Moletsane's youthful ability and courage that allowed Mokgele to ask Moletsane to kill Mokgele's own sons, in this action Moletsane was to inherit both BaMophethe le Thulo and BaMokgele-Ramapai le Sobi clans. Sekaledi and Motsetsele attacked Mokgele, Motsetsele was defeated and fled to Phere, Sekaledi seized cattle from the royal kraal of Kgomo. Moletsane went to assist his father-in-law Mokgele, the village of Phere where Moletsane launched a surprise attack, killed many people, and captured their cattle restoring the stock of the great Kgomo. Phere was deprived of everything he possessed, Sakaledi and Motsetsele punished and left with little authority over their own clan.

When Moletsane took control of the second and third clans of Bataung, many other small chiefs and headmen took the opportunity to set up chieftainship of their own. Moletsane brought it to himself to unify Bataung and bring all these little branches back to their allegiance. An independent Bushmen clan of chief Qonsop and chief Deqoi, chief Makume and chief Seyake of small Bataung clans and Dihoya/Dihoja/Lihoya of chief Mahoete/Mahwete were all brought under the authority of Tau Sabata Moletsane (The Great lion Moletsane). Between 1823 and 1824, Moletsane married again Makgitsane of Bafokeng sister to Sebetoane of Makololo. In the North-West at Maphororong Moletsane had 1,200 huts estimated 20,000 people in his village.

During the Difaqane of the Batlokoa, the Bataung of Moletsane fled across the Vaal with all their belongings. Crossing the Vaal above the junction of Tikwe river they appear to have travelled northwards they went to the Bahurutse at Kaditswene northeast of Zeerust hoping to find rest. The Bahurutse drove back the Bataung which started the many wars Bahurutse/Barolong had with Moletsane. At Mosiga/Mosika Bataung made terrible havoc among them, destroying whole villages, massacring multitudes of people and carrying off many herds of fine cattle and sheep.

In 1824 the Bataung overthrew Barolong: Moletsane had a sad reputation among the inhabitants of the country, the Bataung made war upon Matlabe, a Morolong chief who lived at Thabeng (Buisfontein, Potchefstroom). A brother of Moletsane, Lebona was ordered to leave the Bataung, he lived among Matlabe at Thabeng later Lebona was killed by order of Moletsane. The Bataung made war on Barolong, many Barolong were killed but chief Matlabe fled to Khunwane/Kgunwane were the senior leader of Barolong Matlakoe/Matlakwe lived. The Bataung followed Matlabe to Khunwane were Matlakoe was killed in a battle, many people like Ba-Sifunelo and cattle fell into the hands of Moletsane. Matlabe escaped again this time he ran to Matebele under Moselekatse/Mzilikazi. 

Barolong had to rely on the Bergnaars/Bastards/Griqua to get rid of Moletsane, the Bergnaars-Griquas had horses and firearms for mounted warfare to which the Bataung were utter strangers in such tactics. Conflicts between Barolong and Bataung, they fought inflicting heavy losses, Mophethe was killed, Bataung women captured including Bataung Queen Mpai-Mamoretlo, the Barolong moved to nearby areas close to Makwasi River. Bataung further travelled to Hlalokoe, living with the Koranna of Chief Ra-Noso negotiations were made with Moletsane another chief of Korannas Moakabi/Mwakabi to fight off the Bergnaars-Griquas. Small camps were setup at Ntha/Valsch River, Mosika-Nokana and Tikoe/Vet River. Spying on the Griquas had indeed worked, they were encamped at Kroonstad/Bodibeng-Dikubu.

In year 1825 that Bataung were attacked by the Griquas, the chief of whom was named Koelman or in seSotho Kudubane/Kulubane by the natives. By the aid of their  muskets they took the cattle of the Bataung without much trouble. But while they were dividing the spoil each one being intent on securing as much as he could for himself, Moletsane fell upon them. Kulubane was killed, the Bataung captured all their cattle as well as some horses and guns. In this manner the Bataung for the first time, acquired guns and horses but it was some time before they learned how to use them. In a space of two years Moletsane and his people returned to their homes.

In 1826 after hearing that the Matebele of Mzilikazi were near them, Bataung moved to Thaba Buisfontein. Unfortunately Barolong lived near them, Bataung fell upon the Barolong of chief Tawana. Tawana and Sifunelo requested the aid of the Griqua of chief Barend Barend, the Griquas and Barolong had many skirmishes with the Bataung of Moletsane which ended with the death of Sifunelo's brothers, Tawana and Gontsi. After Sifunelo moved along the right bank of Vaal and halted temporarily at Mohlana Pitsi(Platberg).

In 1827 Molestane seized the opportunity, surprised the Barolong at night and after killing a number, captured much booty, including horses and guns. But in 1828 Adam Kok with his Griquas and Korannes crushed Molestane forcing the survivors to live among the Griqua as subjects. According to J.D Omer-Cooper, in 1836 Moletsane lost thousands of people at the end he had only 150 left at between Philippolis and Beershabe nearby Smithfield. The following year (1837) he left for Thaba Bosiu to meet Moshoeshoe. Moletsane made arrangements for his daughter named Moroesi to marry Moshoeshoe's younger brother, Mopedi. 

Part 2: Moletsane le Moshoeshoe

Video: Moletsane