The Bangwaketse (also known as the BaNgwaketse, or Ngwaketse) are one of the eight principal tribes in Botswana, and are ethnic Tswana. (The "Ba" or "Bo" prefix in African tribal names in Setswana means "people of" or "people who speak". "Ma" means "person of".) Kanye is the original Bangwaketse village located in the Southern District settled in 1853, originally called Ntsweng Hill. The king of the tribe is King Malope II, son of Seepapitso IV. The Bangwaketse people live in the arid mountainous region of Southern Botswana mentioned in the book Cherub: Guardian Angel. It is bordered by Moshupa, Lobatse, and Jwaneng, and it is a 45-minute drive from Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. The village is served by Kanye Airport.
A documentary on the Bangwaketse royal family was filmed in 2003–2005: "The Queen's Courtyard".
Villages Population 2022TotalMaleFemale Ngwaketse140,29667,90972,387 Village Kanye 48,02822,27325,755 Village Ranaka 3,2071,4891,718 Village Lotlhakane West 2,0569441,112 Village Gasita 1,188561627 Village Lorolwana 2,2251,0071,218 Village Kgomokasitwa 1,669823846 Village Pitseng 1,526704822 Village Lekgolobotlo 1,334639695 Village Seherelela 884403481 Village Lotlhakane 6,0452,7513,294 Village Sese 6,7983,4693,329 Village Sesung 1,006483523 Village Magotlhwane 1,751845906 Village Segwagwa 1,008479529 Village Manyana 3,7501,7631,987 Village Dipotsana 1136746 Village Diabo 261116145 Village Molapowabojang 8,7224,0244,698 Village Ralekgetho 554250304 Village Moshaneng1,9619061,055 Village Moshupa 23,85811,09712,761 Village Ntlhantlhe 2,8421,3261,516 Village Tshwaane 19389104 Village Selokolela 1,750766984 Village Mogonye 1,081514567 Village Betesankwe 507255252 Village Gathwane 1,099528571 Village Digawana4,3562,0332,323 Village Magoriapitse 1,048482566 Village Lejwana829393436 Village Mogojogojo 981477504 Village Mmathethe5,4212,4452,976 Village Mokgomane 847397450 Village Digawana4,3562,0332,323 Village Magoriapitse 1,048482566 Village Lejwana829393436 Village Mogojogojo 981477504 Village Mmathethe5,4212,4452,976 Village Mokgomane 847397450
Notable people Quett Masire – former President of Botswana Bathoen Gaseitsiwe – Kgosi of the BaNgwaketse and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Archibald Mogwe – former Botswana foreign minister and former Ambassador. Mpule Kwelagobe – investor, businesswoman, model and beauty queen from Gaborone, Botswana who was crowned Miss Universe in May 1999.
See also
List of rulers of the Bangwaketse
References
External links
"Khunwana: A history of the Bangwaketse (Part XII)", Sunday Standard