The Arrival of the Kgaphola People at Thaba Maswikeng:
After the passing of Kgoshi Thoka I, his son Sepheu rose to leadership with humility and honor, stepping into his father's shoes and ushering in a new era for the royal kraal nestled beneath Thaba Maswikeng.
During his reign, a significant moment in the history of the Tisane Royal House unfolded. A group of people from the eastern side of Thaba Maswikeng, known as the Kgaphola, arrived seeking refuge. They had originally come from Mphanama Village, where a dispute over chieftaincy had erupted, creating deep divisions and unrest.
This conflict forced them to leave their homeland, prompting a journey that took them across various areas, including the Eenkantaan farms and Semahlakole.
Eventually, they arrived at Motsemogolo, at the foot of Thaba Maswikeng, where the Tisane Royal Kraal stood.
There, they sought both sanctuary and a piece of land to call their own, away from the turmoil of Mphanama. Kgoshi Sepheu, with wisdom and compassion, welcomed them. He granted them land for settlement and safety, integrating them under the governance of the Tisane Royal House.
From that day forward, a clear system was established to guide their way of life. All ceremonial practices including weddings, the offering of dibego (traditional beer), mahlakori (a symbolic portion of meat, mainly ribs), as well as reporting births and deaths, were to be reported to Monare, the elder son of Ngwamorei.
This practice, rooted in respect and tradition, continues to be observed to this day.
Over time, the Kgaphola people were peacefully integrated with the Bakone community. Through intermarriage and shared customs, new families were formed, and harmony prevailed for many years. However, as many Kgaphola men began marrying women from the Pedi tribe, tensions slowly began to emerge marking the beginning of a new chapter filled with both disunity and complexity.