Mabuse Heritage Group

We continue to unravel Botswana's culture, history and heritage.

MATSHEKGE & THE LEGEND OF MASOSOTE

Because of their outstanding appearance, MATSHEKGE Hills are considered by many as the brand of Bobirwa region. They are characterised by two towers that sit majestically on two conical hills that exist side by side. The panaromic landscape around these twin towers is so magnificent that it has been an attraction to human beings since the stone age period - at least 1700 years before the Babirwa people settled here.

Late Stone Age hunter gatherers frequented these parts over 2000 years ago in pursuit of wild animals and wild plants which formed their diet. Whenever they had time and found suitable places, they painted aspects that depicted their lifestyle on rocks such as in Motlhabaneng, at Thune Dam and other places.

Apart from their magnificent, scenic and imposing towers, Matshekge Hills are also known as the abode of the legendary Bobirwa cattle rustler known to both the young and old as Masosote. He is said to have been a giant who was born and raised in this jungle. Masosote is also said to have been devoid of normal human behaviour consistent with the time he lived. He survived by hunting wild animals and Babirwa cattle. He trapped and butchered cows only to eat "sehuba", the fat chest parts.

Tired of his predatory habits, Babirwa cattle owners are said to have hunted him for a long time but in vain. He was as cunning as a fox. He is said to have redesigned his shoes to make it difficult to follow him. The shoes would indicate that he was moving in an opposite direction due to the changes he made to the soles. This made it difficult to track him.

In the end, Babirwa however, organised and sent a hunting party of skilled men to go to Matshekge Hills area to hunt and eliminate him. Some say after a long time of tireless trekking, they closed in on Masosote, found him resting after eating a huge chuck of meat. They shot him several times like an animal until he dropped down dead. There is a story that his body was so huge that it took more than the normal 4 oxen (some say over 10 oxen) to pull his co**se on a sledge to Bobonong.

📷 Credit: Neo Moshe Madome from MOTHAPHUTHANE HERITAGE CARNIVAL

Have you been to Toutswemogala Hill?

Toutswemogala Hill

Located 50 km north of Palapye, near Topisi. Legend has it that our old timers once tied a rope around this piece of rock to some "elephants" and tried to pull it to the home of their king.

📷 From the Internet

We encountered these beautiful moths in the morning at the filling station near Macheng Mall in Hukuntsi.

Vintage Botswana.
📷 From Facebook

ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 1 OF 2024

We have introduced fundraising services for Community Based Organisations (CBOs) of Botswana that deal with Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

With assessment of Bukalanga cultural heritage sites done in 2023, we are committed to reaching out to some of the remaining heritage landscapes of Botswana.

"Our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our nation."

THE SHOMU INITIATIVE

We remain committed to promotion and transformation of heritage landscapes for sustainable tourism and economic benefit to local communities.

Bhoka Mano

On Friday 23rd June 2023, we attended a Report of Survey workshop as part of JS Planning (Pty) Ltd consultants tasked with developing the City of Francistown Planning Area Development Plan 2022 - 2046.

"Transforming Heritage Landscapes for Sustainable Tourism" is our daily business. We do Agritourism plans, Cultural Village Plans, Cultural Heritage Tourism Assessments, Environmental Assessments and sell Cultural Heritage Tourism Products.
Call: 75958943

TOROPO YA MUKA

Ongoing consultations in Francistown City by JS Planning & Design Studio (Pty) Ltd on the development of Francistown City Planning Area Development Plan 2022 - 2046.