Leruo Molotlegi

The king of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi (middle), with staff of the U.S. Embassy of Pretoria, in front of the match between the national soccer teams of USA and Ghana at the 2010 FIFA World Cup on June 25th at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa.

Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi (born in 1968) is the 36th kgosi, or king, of the Royal Bafokeng Nation.[1] The Royal Bafokeng Nation is located in North West Province of the Republic of South Africa.

Molotlegi has served as King since 2000, when he succeeded his brother, Kgosi Mollwane Molotlegi.[2] Molotlegi's official coronation was not held until 16 August 2003.[2] 3,000 Bafokeng people attended the coronation, which was held at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng, South Africa.[1]

Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi has five siblings: two sisters and three brothers. In addition to being the head of the House of Molotlegi, he is also a matrilineal descendant of the Khama dynasty of Botswana. His grandfather, Chief Tshekedi Khama, was regent of the Bamangwato tribe during the reign of Sir Seretse Khama, his nephew.

King Leruo is a former member of the board of Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats), and now sits in the newly established Royal Bafokeng Resources (RBR) as a non-Executive Director. RBR is a wholly owned Bafokeng company. Kgosi is also the President of the Mineral Rights Association of Indigenous People of South Africa and was one of the principal negotiators in the new mining legislation, which seeks to encourage significant black participation. He is an alumnus of Hilton College in Natal, South Africa. He holds a university degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from Natal University. 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.

In 2011, King Leruo Molotlegi was an invited guest to the wedding of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, to South African swimmer, Charlene Wittstock.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Bafokeng install new king". SouthAfrica.info. 2003-08-19. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  2. 1 2 "New Bafokeng King Enthroned". SAPA. AllAfrica.com. 2003-08-16. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  3. ↑ "Glitterati hits Monaco for royal wedding". Associated Press. The Australian. 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-07-02.


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