INAUGURAL LENAKA MEMORIAL LECTURE

The National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) in collaboration with the National House of Traditional & Khoisan Leaders (NHTKL) hosted the launch of the inaugural Lenaka Memorial Lecture on 14 November 2024 at the Batlokoa ba Mota Community. The memorial lecture was hosted under the theme, Awakening the warrior spirit of Manthatisi: Traditional leaders looking back to take the institution forward.

Kumkani Matanzima – Ah! Dalimvula, Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Provincial Houses, members of the National House from across the country and partners of the House including Old Mutual, Al Imdaad Foundation, Afriforum and Mosiamise Foundation also supported the NHTKL in its endeavor to change and uplift lives while bringing due honour and dignity to the memory of Queen Manthatisi.

The inaugural Lenaka Memorial lecture kicked off with a fruitful Community Outreach Programme aimed at supporting socioeconomic development within the Batlokoa Community and educated community about opportunities from the various stakeholders.

Dr Mirriam Tawane, the Acting Executive Core and Research Manager empowered the community with information about the NHC Funding Programme and the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) administered by NHC.  She said, “We are delighted to have been a part of this important initiative and could not have been here without the support of the Traditional Leadership because they are bearers of our heritage. We would like the community of the Batlokoa to also benefit and be proud of their heritage by reaching out to entities like the NHC.”

This critical commemoration highlighted the significance of Queen Manthatisi and the role she played in shaping the Batlokoa Community to this date. Queen Manthatisi was the leader of the Tlokwa people from 1813 until 1824. She came to power as the regent for her son, Sekonyela, following the death of her husband Kgosi Mokotjo. Manthatisi was known as a strong, brave and capable leader, both in times of peace and war.

It further brought into sharp focus the role of women in traditional leadership, but also enlightened other leaders, that her royalty to the royal family and her resolve to hand over the reins to the heir is a commendable quality for all of us to emulate.