My parents’ house is one of a group of households sorrounding this kraal to form a ward, or kgotla. Traditionally, communities built their homes around the lesaka, to protect their livestock from enemies and carnivores.
The open space in front of the lesaka, where men gather during weddings and funerals (as we did on my father’s funeral and during my brother’s wedding), is also called kgotla. The lesaka is usually positioned in front of the Ralekgotla, or Headman’s homestead.
The Kgotla offers some of us an invaluable opportunity to reconnect with our pre-colonial cultural practices.
Blessing Kgosi e tsile Kgasa 