Declarations

THIS IS THE ARCHIVE FOR SAHRIS 1.0


THIS SITE IS NOW AN ARCHIVE AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MAKING APPLICATIONS

Please be aware that no content and application creation or changes to information on this version of SAHRIS will be retained.

To make applications or utilise SAHRIS for the creation of information, please use the new site:

https://sahris.org.za

Changes to SAHRIS!

The South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS) has undergone a generational upgrade and restructure. These changes to the site include, but are not limited to:

  • A new & modernised look and layout
  • Improved site usage flows with respect to applications and content creation
  • Improved site performance and stability

Launch for the new version of SAHRIS occurred on Monday the 30th of October 2023.

The new site can be found here:

SAHRIS | SAHRIS

Nkoe/Sefate/Poqong Site

SiteReference: 

Organisation: 

DeclarationType: 

GazetteNo: 

3

Gazette Date: 

Friday, April 8, 2016

NoticeNo: 

5 of 2016

Notice Date: 

Friday, April 8, 2016

Gazette Notice Status: 

  • Current

GazetteFile: 

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Prov Gazette No 03 8 April 2016.pdf84.48 KB

FullDescription: 

Nkoe/Sefate/Poqong settlement area derives its importance from its association with the early ancestors of the Batlokoa tribe of Manthatise and Sekonyela who once lived there. It is believed that the Batlokoa settled in the Harrismith district in the middle of the 15th century. To show that different chiefs once settled at Nkoe/Sefate/Poqong village, a monument to commemorate and honour eight generations of the Batlokoa chiefs buried on the site, was laid by the late Chief Wessels Mota of the Batlokoa who resided in Qwaqwa. The eight chiefs included the following: Mohoeshe (1630); Makhalaka (1630-1670); Molefe (1650-1670); Sebeli (1670-1690); Makoro (1690-1715); Motonosi (1715-1735); Montoeli (1735-1755) and Mokotjo (1755-1755). Dates can clearly be seen on the monument but are considered as only approximate, the reason being that the Batlokoa worked by lunar year, and the other reason being the problem that dates were handed down from generation to generation through the word of mouth.

In 1813, Manthatise’s husband Mokotjo passed away and he was also buried with other chiefs at the Nkoe/Sefate/Poqong site. Mokotjo’s eldest son, Sekonyela, was to take the chieftainship after the death of his father but Sekonyela was too young to rein, therefore, his mother Manthatise acted on his behalf as the ruler of the Batlokoa. It is from this site where Manthatise as a young energetic woman was faced with a difficult task of ruling elderly men from the Batlokoa’s. The Batlokoa was the first victim of the Nguni invasions across the Drakensberg. It is at the Nkoe/Sefate/Poqong site where Batlokoa of Manthatise took the brunt of the attack by the AmaNgwane and the AmaHlubi in 1822. Manthatise was attacked at the site by Chief Zwide of the AmaHlubi tribe because she had given refuge to Motsholi who had quarrelled with Chief Zwide. Later misunderstandings existed between Motsholi and Manthatise that led to the assassination of Motsholi. Motsholi’s assassination led Manthatise to be attacked by Chief Mpangazitha. This attack came as a surprise to Manthatise. During the attack by Chief Mpangazitha, the Nkoe/Sefate/Poqong site became a battlefield until the Batlokoa were driven away from their headquarters at the Nkoe/Sefate/Poqong site. While Mpangazitha was attacking Manthatise, Matiwane was hot on his heels. The attacks of Mpangazitha, Manthatise and Matiwane created a fashion of inter-tribal warfare that was to become unique in the history of the Basotho people. Due to these attacks at the Nkoe/Sefate/Poqong site, the huts and kraals were destroyed. Today only the remnants are visible. After being attacked, Manthatise and her son Sekonyela continued to attack other smaller tribes. While ousted from Nkoe/Sefate/Poqong, the Batlokoa moved to Kuruman in the present North West Province, Namibia between Fish and Nasob Rivers, and across the Vaal River near Hoopstad, down to Masite in Southern Lesotho, to Tsikoane in the Leribe District, then across the Mohokare (Caledon) River in search of pastures and hunting grounds. On their way to Joalaboholo, they settled also at Bocheletsane next to Bethlehem where Prince Mota, the younger brother to Sekonyela was initiated.

Therefore, in view of the above information, the site is a tangible trace from the previous centuries. They stand as a symbol and proof of a people who once lived there. This can be deducted from the remains of the stone-walls and middens on the site. The ruins themselves play an important role in the writing of tribal history because they serve as evidence of the historical habitation of Sotho-speaking peoples at this site. The site depicts a way of life for the indigenous Sesotho-speaking people who are a distinct element of our diverse South African society

 
 

Search form