In 2018, during my cousin’s Patlo at the Kanye Main Kgotla, the proceedings were interrupted by two men who had come to announce the death of one elder. A common practice in the village. And my mother later reminded me that the same announcement was made for my father in 2009.
The practice, “go latola kwa Kgosing”, is usually carried out by close family elders to the deceased, or elderly relatives chosen by the elders. Delivering the message to the royal representatives, after greeting the royals, they stated the name of the deceased, his Kgotla, date of death, and the funeral date, and that funeral arrangements are ongoing. Through observation, I realised that the announcement was not recorded. Corroborating with what my 65-year-old mother told me: that the announcement is rather ceremonial and carried out as a mark of respect to the Kgosi.
On the other hand, Patlo, in the village of Kanye, is a traditional practice of asking for a woman’s hand in marriage/marriage negotiations. Though mainly it involves private meetings between the bride and groom’s families, there’s also a process at the Kgotla carried out by the designated royal elder.
During Patlo, the first procedure at the Kgotla is “go pega” whereby the intention of the couple to marry is made public. And the last, “go folosa”, is when the couple is essentially married off by the royal representative before going to complete the Patlo at the bride’s family home. By bogadi or dowry payment and ‘go laya’.
Blessing Kgosi e tsile Kgasa 