African Royalties

Another one of my Monday Crushes is His Majesty Kgosi Leruo Tsehekedi Molotlegi of the Royal Bafokeng Nation in South Africa

His Majesty was born in 1968 to His Majesty the late Kgosi Lebone I and Her Majesty Queen Mother Semelane Molotlegi. He is the third born of five kids with HM the late Kgosi Lebone II(born HRH Prince Mollwane) and HRH the late Prince Fosi Boemo Matale as senior siblings and Their Royal Highnesses Princess Motswana, Prince Bothata and Prince Mollwane as younger siblings.

Through his mother The Queen Mother, he is also a member of the Khama royal family of the Bamangwato people in Botswana, as his grandfather the Queen Mother's father Chief Tshekedi Khama was regent during the reign and exile of his nephew Sir Seretse Khama I(first president of Botswana and father to the 4th president of Ian Khama).

Photo rights: American Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa

He did and graduated from his secondary education at Hilton College in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. He holds a university degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from University of KwaZulu Natal and is also an alumnus of the North-West University in North-West province.

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.

His Majesty became the 36th Kgosi and 15th member of the current dynasty in 2003 following the death of his father in 1995 and brother in 2000. His other brother Prince Fosi died in 1999. Following his brother's passing away in 2000, he was made regent.

For the ladies His Majesty is still single

Under his reign, he has created a sovereign fund(Royal Bafokeng Nation Holding) out of the royalties paid from the platinum mines found in the nation. Back in 1925, the world's largest deposits of platinum and other minerals were discovered on the nation's land. For every mining companies doing business in the nation, they pay royalties to the nation in exchange for the right to mine these metals.

The Holding(RBNH) entity is responsible for overseeing the growth and maintenance of the community’s income streams. Back in the 2010, His Majesty open the Holdings and its income to not just the royal family's benefits but to that of the entire Bafokeng nation.

This model has been considered to be Africa's most progressive community investment model and Africa's richest tribe, with total assets under management at about $6 billion.

Through the Holding, His Majesty has invested in various sectors and he himself recognises that the minerals which has bless the nation could run out and it was his father's, brother and his wish to make the RBN self sufficient socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable community true to its African heritage and traditions.

Amongst the many thing he has done through the Holding, was built the Royal Bafokeng Nation sports which oversees the sports sectors including building the stadium back in 2000 which hosted games during the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa. There is also the Royal Bafokeng Institute (RBI), whose goal is to oversee improvements in the education and learning sector by building the Lebone II - College of the Royal Bafokeng

His Majesty Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi was received by Lebanese ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency Kabalan Frangieh at the Embassy in Pretoria on July 4th 2019.

During the visit, His Majesty expressed his desire to deepen the relations between the Royal Bafokeng Nation and Lebanon for the benefit of both people. It is said that during the bilateral talks, His Excellency was impressed by His Majesty's interests in the Middle East and Lebanon

The North-West University(NWU) in South Africa hosted a prestigious event where they paid tribute to their out-going chancellor His Majesty Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi of Royal Bafokeng Nation on September 25th 2019 at the Emerald Hotel in Vanderbijlpark.

According to a press release from the University, the management held a celebration and dinner to acknowledge Kgosi's involvement, guidance and support given to the institution during his 10 years term.

Throughout the event, various speeches were given from several members of the NWU's high-level management where they praise His Majesty for his leadership and forward thing.

In his address to all His Majesty spoke about his university years at NWU to taking up the Chancellorship and then the leadership of Bafokeng Nation. He then spoke about the collaborations and transformations that has taken place under his leadership.