The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of Thaba Maswikeng:
In the twilight of his life, Chief Malope, known fondly as Sepheu (led Mangana Regiment) grew frail. His eyesight faded, and he spent his final days in a darkened room, where only select, royal elders were permitted to visit and brief him on tribal matters. His trusted brother Monare, who had long stood by his side, had already passed on, and with his death, the weight of leadership slowly shifted.
Sepheu's son, Mogale, had been initiated and led the Matjedi regiment, yet he was not born of Timamello (the candle-wife). A sacred and ceremonial union between Mohlala royal authority to find a Timamello to bear the rightful heir was underway, only known to selected members of the Royal family which Ngwato and other elders were at center of negotiations. Chief Sepheu had many wives, but two Queens from the Tau clan were the ones recognized by royal protocol as the rightful bearers of heirs to the throne according to the Bakone customs.
After Malope's passing, trouble began to stir. The expected heir, Nape, did not survive to take up the throne. In the leadership vacuum that followed, the Bakone tribal authority appointed Mogale as Regent, acting chief, until a Timamello could be ceremonially married to the royal house to produce a legitimate heir.
However, this process took longer than expected. Discussions and planning led by the rightful leaders, including Ngwato son of Monare were ongoing. Meanwhile, Mogale, empowered by his regency, began asserting his authority more strongly. He dismantled royal structures, moved with his regiment to the southern side of Thaba Maswikeng, and declared it the new center of Bakone leadership, relocating sacred rituals and royal protocols to that place.
This act caused deep unrest among the elders especially the senior royal women and men of the Bakone Royal Family. They resisted what they saw as a deviation from ancestral law and custom. Still, Mogale held onto power and resisted efforts to transition leadership, even as disorder and despair spread.
The breaking point came with a serious incident, a mishandled murder case under Mogale's watch that forced the intervention of the newly established Native Affairs offices under the Republic, specifically from the Nebo region. The Nebo authority stepped in to stabilize the situation. Mogale was officially suspended, removed to all Royal authority duties and from his role as acting chief.
He was succeeded by Acting Chief Sedingwane, who led Mathamaga regiment, selected by a few royal men, though notably, royal women were excluded from the process. This appointment marked another chapter of uncertainty, until, finally, the long-awaited Timamello from Mohlala royal family was brought forward, and through her union, a rightful heir was born.
Under the guidance and wisdom of Ngwato, along with respected royal elders and women, peace was restored. The rightful heir, Thoka II, emerged a strong leader from the Makwa regiment. The Makwa regiment which was officiated and overseen by the Acting Chief Sedingwane. Upon his recognition and installations of Chief Thoka II, all royal instruments, such as the meropa (drums), sacred documents, and unspoken treasures of the royal kraal, were taken from Mogale's homestead and returned to their rightful place.
This marked the rebirth of Bakone BaTisane, a new dawn rising from the ashes of uncertainty, without bloodshed. The calm, diplomatic leadership of Ngwato and the collective wisdom of the royal house ensured a peaceful transition and the preservation of tradition.
Today, Bakone BaTisane stands tall among other chieftaincies, many of which continue to wrestle over lineage and rightful leadership. One elder from the Makwa regiment reflects:
"Bakone have their own way of solving turmoil; there is no need to fight. Our ancestors are always among us. Do not think that the wrongs done in the dark will not be exposed when the bright moon rises."
The legacy of the Bakone forebears is indeed imprinted in the land itself from the sacred Hlako Mountains, through Mohlakaumaneng, Thaba Maswikeng, Bageng (Lenaong La Morena Jeso- the feet of Jesus), Mmamadi, Megong, Pudi Mountain, and Ntswelemushi. These are not just places; they are the living spirit of a people who, through endurance, wisdom, and unity, continue to rise.