Leruo Molotlegi
King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation
Reign2000 - present
PredecessorKgosi Mollwane Molotlegi
BornLeruo Tshekedi Molotlegi
1968 (age 55–56)
South Africa
HouseMolotlegi

Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi (born 1968) is the 36th kgosi, or king, of the Royal Bafokeng Nation.[1][2] The Bafokeng nation is located in North West Province of the Republic of South Africa.[3]

Biography

Molotlegi has served as Kgosi since 2000, when he succeeded his brother, Mollwane Lebone II Molotlegi.[4][5] Molotlegi's official enthronement was not held until 16 August 2003.[4] 3,000 Bafokeng people attended the coronation, which was held at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng, South Africa.[1] Molotlegi is the son of Kgosi Lebone Edward Molotlegi and Queen Semane Molotlegi, Queen Mother of the Bafokeng.[2]

He had five siblings: three brothers and two sisters. Two older brothers are deceased.[2] In addition to being the head of the House of Molotlegi, he is also a matrilineal descendant of the Khama dynasty of Botswana. His grandfather, Chief Tshekedi Khama, was regent of the Bamangwato tribe during the reign of Sir Seretse Khama, his nephew.[2]

He is a former member of the board of Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats), and now sits in the newly established Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH) as a non-Executive Director. RBH is a wholly owned Bafokeng company. The Kgosi is also the president of the Mineral Rights Association of Indigenous People of South Africa and was one of the principal negotiators in the new mining legislation, which seeks to encourage significant black participation. He is an alumnus of Hilton College in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He holds a university degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from Natal University.[2] He is a keen sportsman and was awarded a Victor Ludorum Gold Medallion at Hilton. He is a fixed wing and rotorcraft pilot and has been appointed as an Honorary Colonel in the South African Air Force.

In 2011, he was an invited guest to the wedding of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, to South African swimmer, Charlene Wittstock.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Bafokeng install new king". SouthAfrica.info. 19 August 2003. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bafokeng Royal Family, South Africa". THE AFRICAN ROYAL FAMILIES. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Matebesi, Sethulego (5 December 2019), "Royal Bafokeng Nation", Social Licensing and Mining in South Africa, Routledge, pp. 83–109, doi:10.4324/9780429431074-4, ISBN 9780429431074, S2CID 212761468, retrieved 22 May 2022
  4. 1 2 "New Bafokeng King Enthroned". SAPA. AllAfrica.com. 16 August 2003. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi | Bafokeng Archive". www.bafokengarchives.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "Glitterati hits Monaco for royal wedding". The Australian. Associated Press. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.


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