Unity is not optional for Bapedi, Adv Thembeka Ngcukaitobi
MOHLALETSE
Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi was the guest of honour during the Annual King Sekhukhune I Commemoration Day on Saturday 18 August 2018 at Fetakgomo Sports Ground in Mohlaletse. This celebrated author of ‘The Land is Ours’ used his grand platform to remind the Bapedi nation of their greater purpose as they carry in their veins the treasure of being of the bloodline of the great Warrior King Sekhukhune I.
As a legal scholar, son of the soil and history enthusiast, Advocate Ngcukaitobi was drawn to the event and the royal house of Kgoshikgolo K.K Sekhukhune by the compelling and fascinating evidence of greatness that goes along with the legend of King Sekhukhune I.
He told the 2000-plus crowd that attentively listened to his passionate address that the people of Sekhukhune must not be dubbed by the politicians’ narrative that ‘the land was stolen’.
“If we agree with these deceivers that say the land was stolen it would suggest that we as black people were sleeping. And that’s not the case, we fought and we are here to commemorate the leader who led many battles against those who invaded our land and are occupy the productive land we need today for our economic progress” said Advocate Ngcukaitobi.
He further said while he is deeply impressed that King Sekhukhune I’s bravery he is deeply disappointed that he was not killed by his known enemies but the people of his own blood. He praised the gallant fight he waged against the sophisticated weaponry of the British Empire and the Transvaal Voortrekker armed with a spear and strong will.
He added by praising the efforts by young creative from Sekhukhune district to produce a film on the legend of King Sekhukhune I.
He concluded his address by scolding the on-going pockets of divisions among Bapedi which are often taken to ‘the white men’s courts’ to be resolved. He called on Bapedi to internalise the fact that unity among them is not optional but necessity to move forward.
