Near Lobatse lies the capital of Ba Ga Malete -RAMOTSWA- Balete are a group of Nguni origin who have lived so long amongest Tswana that they are indistingishable by language or custom . They entered Botswana from South Africa in 1852 and settled with Bakwena but later refused to pay them taxes and after several moves eventually settled at Ramotswa in 1875 . At that time their land was claimed by Bangwaketse who tried to oust them in 1881 but they repulsed without difficulty . When Bechuanaland was declared a Protectorate in 1885 Balete who extended well into the areas around Gauteng , had the choice of retaining their land around Gauteng (in which case they had to move out of the Protectorate) or forfeiting all claim to it and moving into the Protectorate .The Notwane river which bisected their land , was the boundary .They chose to live in the Protectorate . ~Bandleng Dladleng~
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 21:14:29 +0000