Kgosi Sekonyela

Kgosi Sekonyela (1804–1856) effectively took over from his mother Queen Manthatisi after she acted as Regent when his father died. Ruling over Batlokwa, while Queen Manthatisi settled in Marabeng, Sekonyela settled in Jwala-Boholo. As a minor, Sekonyela could not take over the reins, only when he came of age could he lead Batlokwa. He worked closely with the Korana (also known as Khoemana) during his raids on neighbouring kingdoms, often conflicting with King Moshoeshoe I. Kgosi Sekonyela is regarded as the last ruler of the Tlokwa Chiefdom during the struggle of sovereignty over northern Lesotho.

Kgosi Sekonyela
BornSekonyela
1804 (1804)
Harrismith, Free State
Died20 July 1856
Wittenberg Reserve,, Herschel
BurialUnknown

Early life

Sekonyela was the son of Kgosi Mokotjo of the Batlokwa people who married Monyalue of the Basia, who then became Manthatisi after the birth of their first child – Nthatisi. Mokotjo died following an illness while on a mission to claim the area around Hohobeng from the rival Batlokwa chief Lebasa. Mokotjo contracted a disease, died, and his body was sent back to Nkwe for burial. Manthatisi continued relations with the Basia, conferring with Basia advisors and sending her son to be raised in her brother's, Basia home.[1] At the time of Mokotjo's death, Sekonyela was only nine years old and it would be another ten years before he was old enough to rule. The same thing had happened to Mokotjo's mother Ntlo-Kholo who had married Montueli. When Montueli passed away, Ntlo-Kholo assumed the reigns until Mokotjo came of age.[2] When Manthatisi became regent, she sent Sekonyela to live with her people – the Basia – in order to protect him from political rivalry. He even attended circumcision school with the Basia people, assisted by his uncle Letlala, at the absence of his own father.[2]

Sekonyela leads Batlokwa

Sekonyela re-joined the tribe around 1824 after Manthatisi had led them through the first phase of the Sotho wars and effectively took over from his mother.[3] One of his major challenges was encounters with the European missionaries in the 1830s. While some black kingdoms were friendly towards the missionaries, others were hostile. Sekonyela was one of the rulers who did not see eye-to-eye with the missionaries.[4] In addition, another European group – the Voortrekker came into contact with the Batlokwa; moving from the Cape into the interior. Seeking land and livestock, in some instances they negotiated their way into black communities, in other instances dislodging them. This caused major conflicts.[5] In 1830, Sekonyela and his people settled near the Mohokare (Caledon) River, where his major rival became King Moshoeshoe I. They rivaled over control for Northern Lesotho. For twenty years, the two rivals raided each other and competed for adherents from the many refugee bands in the region.[6]

In 1836, Batlokwa were attacked by Korana raiders. Sekonyela was impressed by their skills, which included horse riding and shooting, and requested them to impart those skills on to his people. Their relations did not last long, as soon disputes led the Korana out, who relocated to Koranaberg (Excelsior and Marquard). This was after taking off with most of the cattle of Batlokwa. Sekonyela then relocated across the Caledon River. A year later there were encounters again with the Korana, which led Batlokwa deep into the Maluti Mountains and his cattle were once again looted.[7]

In 1837, Sekonyela was imprisoned by Piet Retief by trickery. Retief wanted him to take the fall for Dingane's stolen cattle and further demanded 700 cattle, 70 horses and 30 muskets for his release. Sekonyela obliged and was freed. Retief decided not to surrender Sekonyela to Dingane, who had initially asked for 300 cows. The rest, Retief took for himself. He also confiscated guns from the Batlokwa, which Sekonyela had obtained through a bartering system. Retief decided to put the blame on Sekonyela so that he could negotiate a Voortrekker settlement in Dingane's area. This however did not work in Retief's favour as Dingane went ahead and executed him and his entourage.[8][9]

In May 1849, Sekonyela and the Korana, particularly their leader Gert Taaibosch (who was also famous as a horseman and warrior), were reconciled and this is when a number of attacks against Moshoeshoe I were carried out. In the past, the Korana and Moshoeshoe I had disputes over land, particularly land near the Caledon River.[10]

On 1 September 1850, Major HD Warden - who was in charge of the Orange Free State, after it was annexed by the British in 1848 – was granted permission by the Orange Free State government to take military action against Sekonyela in order to end the frequent attacks on the Basotho and Bataung. This was after Moshoeshoe I and Bataung had complained about the frequent raids by Sekonyela. This was however not realised due to mediation from Taiibosch. Sekonyela paid a fine of 300 cows after showing remorse.[11]

Defeat and death

After the Battle of Berea on 20 December 1852, Taaibosch and Sekonyela attacked Bataung of Tolo in Winburg and the Kgolokwe under Witsie in the Harrismith District. In the battle of Khoro-e-Betloa against the Batlokwa by Basotho, which ensued towards the end of 1853 (between October and November), Taaibosch was killed at Dawidsberg.[12] After the death of Taaibosch, the army of Moshoeshoe I overwhelmed the Tlokwa and drove Sekonyela out of Jwalaboholo, his forte.[13] Following that defeat, Sekonyela fled to Winburg with very few of his people. The bulk of his people joined Moshoeshoe I; and others relocated to the Eastern Cape with a small portion fleeing north to integrate with Batswana. He later moved to a plot given by a white man – George Clerk – at Wittenberg Reserve in the Herschel District of Eastern Cape. He died on 20 July 1856.[14]

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See also

References
  1. Eldredge, Elizabeth (2015). Kingdoms and Chiefdoms of South Eastern Africa: Oral Traditions and History, 1400-1830. New York: University of Rochester Press. p. 260.
  2. Eldredge 2015, p. 260.
  3. Lipschutz, Mark R (1978). Dictionary of African Historical Biography. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 210. ISBN 0520066111.
  4. Setumu, Tlou (2014). Until lions document their heritage: Southern Africa’s fighters against colonial plunder. Makgabeng Heritage Research & Publishing. p. 301. ISBN 9780620574884.
  5. Setumu 2014, p. 304.
  6. Lipschutz 1978, pp. 210.
  7. Erasmus, Piet (2015). Thee battle of Mamusa: The Western Transvaal border culture and the ethno-dissolution of the last functioning Korana policy. Bloemfontein: Sun Press. p. 71. ISBN 9781920382773.
  8. Nishino, Ryota (2011). Changing histories: Japanese and South African Textbooks in comparison (1945-1995). Gottingen: V&R Unipress. pp. 111–112. ISBN 9783899718164.
  9. Setumu 2014, pp. 308-309.
  10. Pfeffer, George (2009). Contemporary Society Tribal Studies: Structure and Exchange in Tribal India and Beyond. New Delhi. pp. 163–165. ISBN 9788180696237.
  11. Erasmus 2015, pp. 72.
  12. Pfeffer 2009, pp. 165.
  13. Futhwa, Fezekile (2011). Setho: Afrikan Thought and Belief System. Alberton: Nalane. p. 139. ISBN 9780620503952.
  14. Setumu 2014, p. 310.
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