Bakgatla chief allows visitors to experience life of African royalty

Bakgatla tribe chief to allow visitors to experience life of African royalty

There’s so much more to Pilanesberg than the majestic wildlife, there’s also the majestic Bakgatla people.

It's a cultural exploration with the Bakgatla Tribe. Image credit: supplied.

The Pilanesberg region of South Africa’s North West province has long been synonymous with wildlife safaris and luxurious resorts, drawing both local and international tourists.

Stretching across 550 square kilometres, the Pilanesberg National Park is the natural habitat and home to an abundance of wildlife, including cheetahs, giraffes, and over 300 bird species.

Tourists have often shared that the reserve feels like living in a wildlife documentary, from watching a lion basking in the sun to catching sight of a herd of elephants at a watering hole.

Pilanesberg as a whole has always stood as a timeless scene of Africa’s untamed splendour, where nature unfolds in its purest form.

Yet, beneath the allure of game drives and five-star accommodations lies a rich cultural heritage that has often remained unknown.

But now, visitors to the land are discovering that there is more than just the majestic animals in Pilanesberg. There’s its majestic people too.

This is the homeland of the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela.

THE BAKGATLA: A RESERVED AND RESILIENT PEOPLE

The Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela are a reserved and resilient people who have lived and worked in the Pilanesberg area since the 1800s, when Kgosi Kgamanyane Pilane settled his tribe at Mmasobudule on the Elands River.

The 32 villages, spread across an area of 160 000 hectares, homes nearly 350 000 of the decedents of the early Batswana communities that straddled the borders between South Africa and Botswana.

Famed amongst other tribes for being successful in using traditional herbs and fire to protect themselves in battle, the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela have since lived a secluded yet prosperous existence, maintaining their ways far from the gaze of Africa’s outsiders.

But now, under the leadership of Kgosi Nyalala Pilane, Chief of the Bakgatla Tribe, that is slowly changing.

THE BAKGATLA’S STORIED PAST

The Chief has extended an invitation to visitors to the land to embark on a cultural journey, one that he feels will offer a deeper connection to his land and its storied past.

“Over a hundred years ago, my ancestors settled our people, the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela, on this soil,” Kgosi Nyalala Pilane (decendent of Kgosi Kgamanyane Pilane) explained. “Our history is a fascinating one and something I think it is time we tell the rest of the world about.”

It is time to tell their story.

As such, Chief Pilane has opened up his royal home in Lekutung Village as the site of the Pilane Royal Family Museum.

He will now allow visitors to land to visit the gravesites of the great Bakgatla kings, where they are encouraged to pay homage to the leaders who led defences against the Boer settlers during one of Africa’s most turbulent chapters of conflict.

They will also walk through the ruins of ancient tribal villages, that offer a glimpse into the lives of those who walked this land centuries ago.

MORE THAN JUST A HISTORY LESSON

Visitors must not just learn about the Bakgatla culture – they must also live it, says Chief Pilane.

The Chief says he will welcome his guests to actively partake in his people’s customs, to join in traditional dancing, and experience the rhythms of this deeply rooted people.

A MEANINGFUL IMPACT

Beyond its appeal to tourists, the Heritage Tour initiative is also a source of pride and opportunity for the local community.

“This project is not only about celebrating our traditions,” said Kgosi Pilane.

“It’s about creating sustainable employment for our people and ensuring that our heritage remains alive for future generations.”

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller to the Pilanesberg or visiting for the first time, the cultural experience is meant to provide a fresh perspective on one of South Africa’s most beloved destinations. It’s an invitation to step into the story of the Bakgatla tribe and walk away with a deeper connection to the land and its people.