South Africa 2011 Sotho-Tswana speakers proportion map

The Sotho-Tswana people are a meta-ethnicity of

southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost subregion of the African continent, south of the Congo and Tanzania. The physical location is the large part of Africa to the south of the extensive Congo River basin. Southern Africa is home to a number o ...

and live predominantly in

Botswana Botswana (, ), officially the Republic of Botswana ( tn, Lefatshe la Botswana, label= Setswana, ), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat, with approximately 70 percent of its territory being the Kal ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring coun ...

and

Lesotho Lesotho ( ), officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a country landlocked as an enclave in South Africa. It is situated in the Maloti Mountains and contains the highest mountains in Southern Africa. It has an area of over and has a population ...

. The group mainly consists of four clusters; Southern Sotho (Sotho), Northern Sotho (which consists of the Bapedi, the

Balobedu The Lobedu or Balobedu ''(''also known as the BaLozwi or Bathobolo'')'' are a southern African ethnic group. Their area is called Bolobedu. They are initially known as Bakwebo (wild pigs). The name "balobedu" means "the mineral miners" lobela ...

and others), Lozi, and Tswana people. A fifth cluster is sometimes referred to as the Eastern Sotho, and consists of the Pulana, Makgolokwe/Bakholokoe the Pai and others. The Sotho-Tswana people would have diversified into their current arrangement during the course of the 2nd millennium, but they retain a number of linguistic and cultural characteristics that distinguish them from other Bantu-speakers of southern Africa. These are features such as totemism, a pre-emptive right of men to marry their maternal cousins, and an architectural style characterized by a round hut with a conical thatch roof supported by wooden pillars on the outside. Other major distinguishing features included their dress of skin cloaks and a preference for dense and close settlements, as well as a tradition of large-scale building in stone. The area now settled by the various Sotho-Tswana groups was reached by the

Bantu expansion The Bantu expansion is a hypothesis about the history of the major series of migrations of the original Proto-Bantu-speaking group, which spread from an original nucleus around Central Africa across much of sub-Saharan Africa. In the process, ...

by about AD 500. The standard theory asserts that the Sotho-Tswana are descended from a group that moved southward from the

Great Lakes The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes in the mid-east region of North America that connect to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River. There are five lakes ...

in a separate movement from the other Southern Bantu groups, proceeding along the western part of present-day

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and ...

Ethnonym

The Sotho-Tswana ethnic group derives its name from the people who belong to the various Sotho and Tswana clans that live in

. Historically, all members of the group were referred to as Sothos, the name is now exclusively applied to speakers of Southern Sotho who live mainly in

, and the Free State province in

, while Northern Sotho, is reserved for Sotho speakers that inhabit northern South Africa, predominantly in

Limpopo Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa. It is named after the Limpopo River, which forms the province's western and northern borders. The capital and largest city in the province is Polokwane, while the provincial legislature ...

Sotho Ethnonym

The Basotho name was derived from the word "sootho", "brown" , which means the ones with dark/brown melanin . So they referred to themselves as the brown people. "Ba sootho" – which directly translates to "They are brown". The usage of the word has always been part of the vocabulary of the Sotho-Tswana nation. The word became ascribed to a specific people due to regional conflicts: different bantu clans splitting from their ancestor clans and taking the name of their leader as their identity, but naturally in essence every Batho/Bantu people is a mosotho.

Tswana Ethnonym

The ethnonym Batswana is thought to be anantonym that comes from the meaning of the Sotho-Tswana word "tswa", which means "to come out of". The name would be derived from the word "Ba ba tswang" eventually shortened to the word Batswana meaning "The Separatists" or alternatively "the people who cannot hold together". One of the chief characteristics of the Sotho-Tswana clans is the tendency to break up and hive off.

Names

The term Tswana can be used to refer to one of the following * All the Tswana clans residing either in

Namibia Namibia (, ), officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and ea ...

or South Africa * Any member of the Sotho-Tswana clans that trace their origin from Kgosi Mokgatle. * Citizen of Botswana regardless of linguistic or ethnic origin * Members of the eight major Sotho-Tswana clans as defined in the Chieftainship Act of Botswana. * Members of the Sotho-Tswana clans that reside in Botswana, South Africa that speak a standardised dialect of the Sotho-Tswana called Setswana sometimes also referred to as the Western Sotho. * Any Sotho-Tswana clan that inhabits the Kalahari Desert basin and its eastern and south-western peripheries, unless they are Kgalagari people, who are a different Sotho-Tswana group of tribes. The term Basotho can be used to refer to the following * Citizen of Lesotho regardless of linguistic or ethnic origin * Any member of the Sotho-Tswana clans that trace their origin from Kgosi Mogale * Members of the Sotho-Tswana clans that came together under the leadership of Moshoeshoe during the Difaqane. * The Sotho-Tswana clans that stay in the Free State and Lesotho that speak a standardised dialect of the Sotho-Tswana language called Sesotho and sometimes referred to as the Southern Sotho

Classification

In Sotho-Tswana society each member has a totem which is usually an animal, totems are inherited from the father and thus pass like an English surname. The totem animal had traditionally a status of veneration and avoidance: in particular, it was important not to eat one's totem. In modern Sotho-Tswana society this is not as strictly observed. Each morafe/sechaba had its own totem. When naming a clan the name of the founder could be used or the animal they venerate. An example is the Bahurutshe named after the founder Mohurutshe, or alternatively they can also be called Batshweneng after the tshwene (baboon) which they venerate, similarly Batlhako after the founder, or Batloung after the totem. For some clans the name of the founder and their totem are the same like the Bakwena and Bataung where the founders were named Kwena (crocodile) and Tau (lion) respectively. The question of rank and seniority is one that is very important to the Sotho-Tswana. It determines a lot from family relationships, to village matters to relationships between clans and between the different tribal groups. In a family situation the issue of rank determines when a son will undergo initiation, or receive inheritance. A further distinction is also made between the senior wife and the junior wife if a man is in a polygamous marriage. As the Sotho-Tswana lived in large villages, seniority and rank also played a part here, where the chief's homestead is situated at the centre of the village, thereafter the other citizen are grouped according to rank where the most junior members are living the furthest from the village centre. For inter and intra relationships between clans it has been a question that has occupied the Sotho-Tswana since the split that occurred between the followers of Mohurutshe and Kwena. While it is generally accepted that the Hurutshe are the senior clan, some of the other clans have disputed this, mainly the Bafokeng, Barolong and Bakgatla. The claims of the Barolong and Bakgatla has mainly been dismissed as for an example some sub clans of Bakgatla like the Bakgatla ba ga Mmakau acknowledge the Bahurutshe as senior while the Bakagatla ba ga Kgafela do not. In the case of the Barolong, the Batlhaping who are an offshoot of the Barolong acknowledge the Bahurutshe to be senior to the Barolong, while the Barolong do not. The Bafokeng maintain that their split from core Sotho-Tswana body predated the split between Mohurutshe and Kwena, and therefore they are equal in status to the Bahurutshe if not senior. These dispute over seniority and rank were driven by the quest for benefits and independence, a senior kgosi could demand a payment of tribute from a junior chief, they could also summon a junior chief or member of his clan to kgotla for a hearing. If a dispute arose between two junior chiefs the closet most senior chief to them would be invited to resolve it. Another important factor was that a senior chief or members of his clan could not be summoned to the Kgotla by a junior kgosi or clam member. An additional factor is this question of rank and seniority was that it was determined by birth and could not be changed, this means a chief born of minor status could not change his standing relative to the other chiefs. This was mainly to discourage the split up of clans into further sub-clans and to discourage the buildup of clans through conquest and warfare. An important distinction needs to be made when discussing Sotho-Tswana clans is to distinguish between the different clans and the various sub-clans below them. This means distinguishing between clans sharing the same totem like the crocodile but are distinct such as the Bapo, Bakwena, Bangwaketse and Bafokeng of Phokeng. In distinguishing between sub clans an example are the Bakgatla who separated into the Bakgatla ba Kgafela and Bakgatla ba ga Mmakau over who should lead the clan. One faction defied the usual tradition of male leaders and acknowledged the female, Mmakau, as their kgosi. Those who supported Kgafela then broke away. Further offshoot from the Bakgatla are the Bakgatla ba Mmanaana, Bakgatla ba Mmakau and Bakgatla ba Motsha who all have the kgabo as their totem. The Bakgatla ba Mmakau would later give rise to Bapedi, Bakholokoe, Batlokwa, Baphuti and Basia clans If a dispute was to arise between any of the offshoot clans like the Basia and Baphiti then the Mmakau chief would be tasked with resolving it as their senior

Notable people

Politics *

Moshoeshoe I Moshoeshoe I () ( – 11 March 1870) was the first king of Lesotho. He was the first son of Mokhachane, a minor chief of the Bamokoteli lineage, a branch of the Koena (crocodile) clan. In his youth, he helped his father gain power over so ...

– Founder of the Basotho nation * Moshoeshoe II – Paramount Chief of Lesotho * King Letsie – Reigning King of the Basotho *

Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso Masenate Mohato Seeiso (born Anna Karabo Motšoeneng, June 2, 1976) is Queen consort of Lesotho as the wife of King Letsie III of Lesotho. She was the first commoner in modern history to marry into the royal family of Lesotho. Since becoming qu ...

– the queen consort of Lesotho * Pakalitha Mosisili – Former Prime Minister of Lesotho *

Ace Magashule Elias Sekgobelo "Ace" Magashule (born 3 November 1959) is a South African politician and former anti-apartheid activist who was Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC) until his suspension on 3 May 2021. He served as the Premier ...

– Secretary General of the

African National Congress The African National Congress (ANC) is a social-democratic political party in South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when the first post-apartheid election install ...

, Former Premier of the Free State * Tom Thabane – Former Prime Minister of Lesotho *

Ntsu Mokhehle Ntsu Mokhehle (26 December 1918 – 6 January 1999) was a Lesotho politician. He founded Basutoland African Congress (BAC) in 1952. He founded Basutoland Congress Party in 1957 then later in 1997 founded Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD). He ...

– Former Prime Minister of Lesotho * Leabua Jonathan – Former Prime Minister of Lesotho *

Mosiuoa Lekota Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota (born 13 August 1948) is a South African politician, who currently serves as the President and Leader of the Congress of the People since 16 December 2008. Previously as a member of the African National Congress, ...

– South African anti-apartheid activist, Member of Parliament. And the current President of the COPE * Hlaudi Motsoeneng – South African radio personality and broadcasting executive *

Kgalema Motlanthe Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe (; born 19 July 1949) is a South African politician who was South Africa's third president of South Africa, president between 25 September 2008 and 9 May 2009, following Thabo Mbeki's resignation. Thereafter, he was depu ...

– 3rd

President of South Africa The president of South Africa is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of South Africa. The president heads the executive branch of the Government of South Africa and is the commander-in-chief of the South African Nat ...

* Lesetja Kganyago – Governor of the

South African Reserve Bank The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is the central bank of South Africa. It was established in 1921 after Parliament passed an act, the "Currency and Bank Act of 10 August 1920", as a direct result of the abnormal monetary and financial condi ...

. *

Edward Lekganyane Edward Lekganyane, popularly known as "Kgoshi Edward" (1922 – 21 October 1967), was the leader of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) from Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949, until his death eighteen years later. During this time he used his charisma and ...

– the

Zion Christian Church The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) is one of the largest African-initiated churches operating across Southern Africa, and is part of the African Zionism movement. The church's headquarters are at Zion City Moria in Limpopo Province (old Norther ...

(ZCC) leader * Engenas Lekganyane -the founder of

(ZCC) *

Sefako Makgatho Sefako Mapogo Makgatho was born at GaMphahlele, in the Pietersburg district in Transvaal (now Limpopo province) in 1861. He was the son of Chief Kgorutlhe Josiah Makgatho of the Makgatho chieftaincy at GaMphahlele. Before embarking on a politica ...

– second President of the

, born in Ga-Mphahlele village *

Malegapuru William Makgoba Malegapuru William Makgoba (born 1952 in Sekhukhune, South Africa) is a leading South African immunologist, physician, public health advocate, academic and former vice-chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2013 he was recognised as ...

– Doctor * Thabo Makgoba – South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town *

David Makhura Manemolla David Makhura (born 22 February 1968) is a South African politician. He served as the 6th Premier of Gauteng following his election in 2014 until his resignation in October 2022. He was also a member of the Member of the Gauteng Provi ...

– premier of Gauteng Province *

Julius Malema Julius Sello Malema (born 3 March 1981) is a South African politician and activist who is a Member of Parliament and the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a left-wing party which he founded in 2013. He was formerly the President o ...

– political leader. Former leader of the ANC Youth League. Commander in Chief of the

Economic Freedom Fighters The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is a South African left-wing to far-left pan-Africanist and Marxist–Leninist political party. It was founded by expelled former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) President Julius Malema, and ...

(EFF) * Mampuru II – King of the Pedi (1879 – 1883) *

Richard Maponya Richard John Pelwana Maponya, GCOB, (24 December 1920 – 6 January 2020) was a South African entrepreneur and property developer best known for building a business empire despite the restrictions of apartheid and his determination to see the ...

– South African businessmen and founder and first president of the

National African Federated Chamber of Commerce The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce is a South African member body formed in 1964, which focused on the upliftment of black business people during Apartheid Apartheid (, especially South African English: , ; , "ap ...

(NAFCOC). Born in Lenyeye, Tzaneen. *

Cassel Mathale Cassel Mathale (born 23 January 1961) is a South African politician who was the third Premier of Limpopo between March 2009 and July 2013. He is currently the Deputy Minister of Police in the South African government and before that was Deputy ...

– third premier of Limpopo province *

Lebo Mathosa Lebogang Precious Mathosa (17 July 1977 – 23 October 2006) was a South African kwaito singer. Mathosa started her career as a founding member of the popular South African band Boom Shaka in 1994 at the age of 17, after she caught the eye of m ...

– Musician * Kenneth Meshoe – politician * Peter Mokaba – former politician. Former leader of the ANC Youth League *

Lydia Mokgokoloshi Lydia Mokgokoloshi (born 27 September 1939) is a South African actress, best known for her role as Koko Mantsha and the mother of Charity Ramabu and grandmother of Katlego (Kat) and Joseph(Jojo) in the SABC 1 soap, ''Skeem Saam''. Her most no ...

– actress *

Sello Moloto Sello Moloto (born August 27, 1964 in Claremont Village, Transvaal) is the former premier of Limpopo.Gabara, Nthambeleni. "Limpopo's Newly Elected Premier Announces His Exco." Bua News. 6 May 2009. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. . He was succeeded by Cassel ...

– former premier of Limpopo province * Trott Moloto – Former South Africa National Soccer Coach * Mathole Motshekga- Politician *

Aaron Motsoaledi Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi (born 7 August 1958, in Transvaal, now Limpopo) is the Minister of Home Affairs in the Cabinet of South Africa. He was previously the Minister of Health from 2009 to 2019. He was a MEC in Limpopo province for agricultur ...

– Minister of Health, South Africa and nephew of Elias Motsoaledi *

Caroline Motsoaledi Elias Mathope Motsoaledi (26 July 1924 – 9 May 1994) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and one of the eight men sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial in July 1963 and paternal uncle to South African politician and m ...

– South African political activist and wife of Elias Motsoaledi *

Elias Motsoaledi Elias Mathope Motsoaledi (26 July 1924 – 9 May 1994) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and one of the eight men sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial in July 1963 and paternal uncle to South African politician and m ...

– South African anti-apartheid activist and one of the eight men sentenced to life imprisonment at the

Rivonia Trial The Rivonia Trial took place in South Africa between 9 October 1963 and 12 June 1964, and led to the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and the others among the accused who were convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life at the Palace of Justic ...

* Es'kia Mphahlele – writer, educationist, artist, and activist. * Letlapa Mphahlele – former President of the

Pan Africanist Congress The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (known as the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC)) is a South African national liberation Pan-Africanist movement that is now a political party. It was founded by an Africanist group, led by Robert Sobukwe, that ...

(PAC). * Gift Ngoepe – the first black South African, and the sixth South African to sign a professional baseball contract when he signed in October 2008 *

Lilian Ngoyi Lilian Masediba Matabane Ngoyi, "Mma Ngoyi", (25 September 1911 – 13 March 1980) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. She was the first woman elected to the executive committee of the African National Congress, and helped launch ...

– anti-apartheid activist. *

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane Maite Emily Nkoana-Mashabane (born 30 September 1963) is a South African politician who is the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. She was Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform from 2018 to 2019, and previously serv ...

– Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, South Africa *

Ngoako Ramatlhodi Ngoako Ramatlhodi (born 21 August 1955), a senior member of the African National Congress, was South Africa's Minister of Public Service and Administration from 2015 to March 2017. In the first Zuma administration he had been an MP and a contr ...

– first premier of Limpopo province * Gwen Ramokgopa – Deputy Minister of Health, former MEC of Health in

Gauteng Province Gauteng ( ) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. The name in Sotho-Tswana languages means 'place of gold'. Situated on the Highveld, Gauteng is the smallest province by land area in South Africa. Although Gauteng accounts for only 1 ...

Mamphela Ramphele Mamphela Aletta Ramphele (; born 28 December 1947) is a South African politician, an activist against apartheid, a medical doctor, an academic and businesswoman. She was a partner of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, with whom she had two chil ...

– Former Director at World Bank. Former principal of the University of Cape Town. *

Sello Rasethaba Sello Mashao Rasethaba (born in Musina (then Messina) on 19 February 1958 in Limpopo) is a South African businessman and politician. Rasethaba is currently an executive director at Mediterranean Shipping Company. It is while serving in this posit ...

– businessman *

Thabo Sefolosha Thabo Patrick Sefolosha (; born May 2, 1984) is a Swiss former professional basketball player. He has also played in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets, in the Turkish Basketball ...

– American basketball player. His father Patrick Sefolosha was a musician from South Africa. * King Matsebe Sekhukhune – son of King Sekwati. He fought two wars: first successfully in 1876 against the SAR and their Swazi allies, then unsuccessfully against the British and Swazi in 1879 during the Sekukuni Wars. Entertainment * Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa – Music composer *

Lira Lira is the name of several currency units. It is the current currency of Turkey and also the local name of the currencies of Lebanon and of Syria. It is also the name of several former currencies, including those of Italy, Malta and Israe ...

– South African singer *

Mpho Koaho Mpho Koaho () is a Canadian actor. He portrayed Anthony on the TNT science fiction series ''Falling Skies'' (2011–2015) and was also a series regular on the Teletoon action adventure ''MetaJets'' (2011) and the BBC America science fiction com ...

– Canadian-born actor of Sotho ancestry *

Terry Pheto Moitheri Pheto (born 11 May 1981) is a South African actress who is known for starring in an Oscar-winning film '' Tsotsi'' (2005) and other South African soapies. She had a recurring role of a heart surgeon, Dr. Malaika Maponya, on the Americ ...

– South African actress * Sankomota – Lesotho Jazz band *

Kamo Mphela Kamogelo Mphela (born 29 November 1999), popularly known as Kamo Mphela, is a South African dancer and singer. She became an internet celebrity after she posted a video of her dancing on her social media account. Early life and education Kamo Mp ...

– South African dancer *

Fana Mokoena Fana Mokoena (born 13 May 1971) is a South African Film, television and theater actor, and a political activist who served as a Member of Parliament, first as a delegate to the National Council of Provinces representing his home province Free ...

– South African actor and Member of Parliament for

Kabelo Mabalane Kabelo Mabalane (born 15 December 1976), known by his stage name as Kabelo or Bouga Luv, is a South African kwaito musician, songwriter and actor. He is a member of the kwaito trio TKZee. He has opened shows for world famous musicians such as Ja ...

– South African musician and 1/3 of Kwaito group

Tkzee TKZee is a South African kwaito music group formed in 1990s by three school friends, Tokollo Tshabalala, Kabelo Mabalane, and Zwai Bala. The group shot to prominence in late 1997 and early 1998 with their chart-topping singles "Phalafala" and ...

Presley Chweneyagae Presley Chweneyagae (born October 19, 1984 in the North West Province (South Africa), North West Province Mafikeng, South Africa) is a South African actor of Tswana people, Tswana origin. He starred in the film ''Tsotsi'', which won the Academy ...

– South African actor. He starred in the film Tsotsi, which won the Academy Award for Foreign Language Film *

Khuli Chana Khulane Morule (born August 27, 1982), better known by his stage name Khuli Chana, is a South African Motswako rapper. Early life and career Morule was born in the Mmabatho, North West Province and started rapping motswako at a young age. He w ...

– South African hip hop artist *

Caiphus Semenya Caiphus Semenya (born 19 August 1939) is a South African composer and musician. He was born in Alexandra, Gauteng, Johannesburg, South Africa. He left South Africa for Los Angeles, California, United States, in the 1960s, together with his wife ...

– musician *

Caster Semenya Mokgadi Caster Semenya OIB (born 7 January 1991) is a South African middle-distance runner and winner of two Olympic gold medals and three World Championships in the women's 800 metres. She first won gold at the World Championships in 2009 ...

– athlete, Olympic Games medal winner * Judith Sephuma – Musician * King Monada – famous artist. * Master KG – famous artist and composer of the popular song Jerusalema. *

Katlego Danke Katlego Danke (born 7 November 1978), is a South African actress, radio DJ and TV presenter. She is of Tswana ethnicity. Danke is known for her extensive role playing on South African soap operas, ''Backstage'', ''Generations,'' '' Gomora'' and ...

– South African actress *

Connie Ferguson Constance Ferguson (née Masilo; born 10 June 1970) is a South African based Botswana actress, filmmaker, producer and businesswoman. She is best known for her role as "Karabo Moroka" on South Africa's most popular soap opera, '' Generations''. ...

– Botswana born South African actress * Shona Ferguson – Botswana born South African businessman, actor, film producer and co-founder of Ferguson Films *

DJ Fresh Daniel Edward Stein (born 11 April 1977), better known by his stage name DJ Fresh, is an English musician, DJ, record producer, best known for making electronic music. He is one of the principal members of the drum and bass group Bad Company, ...

– Botswana born South African radio personality *

Goapele Goapele Mohlabane (; born July 11, 1977), is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter. Her name means ''to move forward'' in Setswana, a Southern African language. Early life Goapele's South African father Douglas Mohlabane was an exiled po ...

– American singer with Setswana ancestry *

Thebe Kgositsile Thebe Neruda Kgositsile (born February 24, 1994), also known by his stage name Earl Sweatshirt, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Kgositsile was originally known by the moniker Sly Tendencies when he began rapping in 2008, ...

– American rapper, father is Keorapetse Kgositsile *

Mpule Kwelagobe Mpule Keneilwe Kwelagobe (born 14 November 1979) is a Motswana investor, businesswoman, model, and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 1999. She was the first black African woman to win one of the Big Four international beauty pageants, ...

– Former Miss Universe * Kagiso Lediga – South African stand-up comedian, actor and director *

Gail Nkoane Mabalane Gail Mabalane (née Nkoane; born 27 December 1984) is a South African actress, model, media socialite, businesswoman and singer. She is most notable for acting roles on South African television series "The Wild", and recently starred on tele-nov ...

– South African actress, model, media socialite, businesswoman and singer *

– South African kwaito musician, songwriter and actor. He was a member of the kwaito trio TKZee *

Maps Maponyane Masego "Maps" Maponyane (born March 16, 1990) is a South African television presenter, actor, fashion designer, speaker, model, creative consultant, voice over artist, philanthropist and business entrepreneur. Career While taking a year off ...

– South African television presenter, actor, fashion designer, speaker, model, voice over artist, philanthropist and entrepreneur *

Bonang Matheba Bonang Dorothy Matheba (born 25 June 1987), is a South African award-winning television presenter, radio personality, actress and social media personality. Born in Mahikeng, North West, she is known for her flamboyant presenting skills and h ...

– South African media personality *

Tim Modise Timothy Modise is a South African veteran journalist, broadcaster, public speaker and philanthropist. Boasting over thirty years in broadcast media and journalism, Modise has worked for various radio and TV stations of the SABC, M-Net, Primedia, ...

– South African journalist, TV and radio presenter * Tumi Morake – South African comedian, actress, TV personality, and writer. Current presenter of "Dirage" on Motsweding Fm *

Cassper Nyovest Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990), professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record producer and amateur boxer. Born and raised in Mahikeng, North West, he is regarded as one of t ...

– aka Refiloe Maele Phoolo, South African hip hop artist *

Hip Hop Pantsula Jabulani Tsambo (14 September 1980 – 24 October 2018), better known by his stage name Hip Hop Pantsula, later shortened to HHP, was a South African Motswako rapper (Motswakolista) who performed in several languages, mostly in Setswana. He was ...

– South African artist *

Manaka Ranaka Manaka Ranaka (born 6 April 1979), is a South African actress known for playing her starring role for long standing soap opera '' Generations: The Legacy ''. In 2000, she played the role of Nandipha Sithole on Isidingo soap opera aired on SABC ...

– South African actress * Dolly Rathebe – musician and actress *

Rapulana Seiphemo Rapulana Seiphemo (born 4 November 1967) is a South African actor and filmmaker. He is primarily known for his role as Tau Mogale in the long-running soap opera '' Generations'' and its continuation, '' Generations: The Legacy''. Early life He ...

– South African actor *

Tuks Senganga Tumelo Kepadisa (born 2 May 1981), simply known as Tuks Senganga or Tuks, is a South African motswako rapper born in Mafikeng, in the former homeland of the Bophuthatswana. He frequently performs in ethnic languages, though mostly Setswana. Tu ...

– aka Tumelo Kepadisa, Setswana rapper *

Boity Thulo Boitumelo Thulo (born April 28, 1990), popularly known as Boity, is a South African television personality, rapper, actress, businesswoman and model. In 2019, Thulo was named as one of ''Forbes'' Africa's 30 Under 30 for her contribution in the ...

– South African actress *

Redi Tlhabi Redi Tlhabi (; born 1978) is a South African journalist, producer, author and a former radio presenter. She presented ''The Redi Tlhabi Show'' on Radio 702 for over a decade. Her broadcasting career spans years spent at Kaya FM, being a newscas ...

– Journalist, producer, author and radio presenter *

Emma Wareus Emma Wareus (born 28 July 1990 in Gaborone) is a Botswana model and beauty queen who placed first runner-up to Miss World 2010 on October 30, 2010, in Sanya, China. This is the highest placement for a woman from her country in the history of the ...

– Former Miss World First Princess *

Zeus Zeus or , , ; grc, Δῐός, ''Diós'', label= genitive Boeotian Aeolic and Laconian grc-dor, Δεύς, Deús ; grc, Δέος, ''Déos'', label= genitive el, Δίας, ''Días'' () is the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek relig ...

– aka Game Goabaone Bantsi, Botswana born Setswana rapper Sport *

Khotso Mokoena Godfrey Khotso Mokoena (born 6 March 1985 in Heidelberg, South Africa) is a South African athlete who specializes in the long jump and triple jump. Early life and family He started his school education at Shalimar Ridge Primary School in Heide ...

– Athlete (Long jump) *

Pitso Mosimane Pitso John Hamilton Mosimane (born 26 July 1964) is a South African professional football manager and a former player. He is the current manager of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli Jeddah. He is considered as one of the greatest coaches in Africa and ...

– South African football former player and coach – current manager of Al Ahly in the Egyptian Premier League * Molefi Ntseki – Former football coach for

Bafana Bafana The South Africa national soccer team represents South Africa in men's international soccer and it is run by the South African Football Association, the governing body for Soccer in South Africa. The team's nickname is Bafana Bafana (The Boys/G ...

Steve Lekoelea Steve "Chippa" Lekoelea (born 5 February 1979 in Sebokeng, Gauteng ''as Steve Motsiri'') is a South African football (soccer) midfielder who played for Premier Soccer League clubs Moroka Swallows, Orlando Pirates and South Africa. Career He wa ...

– Former football player for

Orlando Pirates Orlando Pirates Football Club (often known as "The Buccaneers") is a South African professional football club based in the Houghton suburb of the city of Johannesburg and plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as DStv ...

Aaron Mokoena Teboho Aaron Mokoena (born 25 November 1980), known as Aaron Mokoena, is a South African former footballer. He is currently the assistant coach of Cape Town City. Club career Early career Mokoena was born in Boipatong. He moved to Bayer Lever ...

– Former football player for

Jomo Cosmos Jomo Cosmos are a South African association football club based in Johannesburg that plays in the National First Division. The club is owned and coached by South African football legend Jomo Sono. In the 2021-2022 National First Division sea ...

Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers Football Club is a professional football club, based in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, which competes in the , the second tier of the English football league system. They have played home matches at Ewood Park since 1890. Th ...

, and

Portsmouth FC Portsmouth Football Club is a professional football club based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, which compete in . They are also known as ''Pompey'', a local nickname used by both HMNB Portsmouth and the city of Portsmouth; the ''Pompey'' nick ...

Thabo Mooki Thabo Mooki affectionately nicknamed Tsiki-Tsiki (born 22 October 1974 in Soweto, Gauteng) is a retired South African association football midfielder who spent all his professional career with Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs. He ...

– Former football player for

Kaizer Chiefs Kaizer Chiefs Football Club (often known as Chiefs) are a South African professional football club based in Naturena, Johannesburg South, that plays in the Premier Soccer League. The team is nicknamed ''AmaKhosi'', which means "Lords" or "Ch ...

and

* Abia Nale – Former football player for

Lebohang Mokoena Lebohang Mokoena (born 29 September 1986 in Soweto, Gauteng) is a South African footballer who plays for Moroka Swallows. Mokoena is known for his pace and dribbling ability, and is most commonly found playing upfront or on the right wing. He ...

– Football player for

Moroka Swallows Moroka Swallows Football Club (often known as simply Swallows or The Birds) is a South African professional football club based in Soweto in the city of Johannesburg in the Gauteng province. Founded in 1947, Swallows are one of the original two ...

* Jacob Lekgetho – Former football player for

* Vincent Pule – Football player for

* Ben Motshwari – Football player for

Lehlohonolo Seema Lehlohonolo Seema (born 9 June 1980 in Mafeteng) is a retired Lesotho football (soccer) defender and midfielder. He also holds South African citizenship. He is currently the manager of Lamontville Golden Arrows in the South African Premier Div ...

– Retired footballer, Coach of

Chippa United Chippa United Football Club (often known as Chilli boys or Chippa) is a South African professional football club based in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province, having previously being based in Nyanga suburb of the city of Cape Town. The club's ...

Lebohang Maboe Lebohang Kgosana Maboe (born 17 September 1994) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for South African Premier Division club Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African national team. He i ...

– Football player for

Mamelodi Sundowns Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club (simply known as Sundowns) is a South African professional football club based in Mamelodi, Pretoria in the Gauteng province that plays in the Premier Soccer League, the first tier of South African football ...

Reneilwe Letsholonyane Reneilwe "Yeye" Letsholonyane (born 9 June 1982) is a South African retired professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. He represented the South Africa national team at international level. Early life Letsholonyane grew up kicking a ...

– South African footballer *

Itumeleng Khune Itumeleng Issac Khune (born 20 June 1987) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as goalkeeper for Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League, and also the South African national team. He is the captain of both. Khune shot to ...

– South African footballer * Victor Mpitsang – South African cricketer, fast bowler who has played for South Africa, currently cricket National Convenor of Selectors *

Lucky Lekgwathi Lucky Lekgwathi (born 1 August 1976 in Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng) is a retired South African football defender who played and captained Orlando Pirates. He played for South Africa at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, at which South Africa were guests ...

– Former South African footballer * Dikgang Mabalane – South African football player *

Marks Maponyane Marks Maponyane (born 16 February 1962) is a retired South African football player. Kaizer Chiefs Maponyane joined Chiefs when he was 19 and started off by earning R600 a month. He scored on debut on 12 April 1981 against Leceister City in ...

– retired South African football player *

Amantle Montsho Amantle Montsho (born July 4, 1983) is a female sprinter from Botswana who specializes in the 400 metres. She represented her country at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, reaching the final at the latter edition. She was the first woman to rep ...

– Former world 800 metres champion *

Kaizer Motaung Kaizer Motaung Snr OIS (born 16 October 1944) is a former South African association football player and founder of Kaizer Chiefs FC, of which he is chairman and managing director. He was nicknamed "Chincha Guluva". Early life Born in the O ...

– Former South African footballer and chairman of

* Kaizer Motaung Junior – Former South African footballer *

Katlego Mphela Katlego Abel Mphela (born 29 November 1984) is a South African retired professional footballer who played as a forward. Club career Mphela, a product of Jomo Cosmos, played in France for RC Strasbourg Alsace and Stade de Reims, both with limi ...

– South African footballer * Kagiso Rabada – South African cricketer, debut for South Africa in November 2014 and by July 2018 he had topped both the ICC ODI bowler rankings and the ICC Test bowler rankings aged 22 *

Jimmy Tau Jimmy Tau (born 23 July 1980 in Kimberley, Northern Cape) is a South African former soccer player who played as a right-back. He played for Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates and in the South African Premier Division and for Basotho Tigers a ...

– Former South African footballer * Percy Tau – South African footballer *

Baboloki Thebe Baboloki Tirelo Thebe (born 18 March 1997) is a Botswana track and field sprinter who specialises in the 400 metres. He was a silver medallist in the 200 metres at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics. He reached the semi-finals at the 2014 World Jun ...

– Commonwealth 800 metres silver medalist. 4x4 Commonwealth gold medalist

Politics, royalty, activism, business and economics

* Frances Baard – Organiser of the African National Congress (ANC) Women's League and Trade Unionist *

Bathoen I Bathoen I (1845 – 1 July 1910) was a ''kgosi'' (paramount chief) of the Ngwaketse people (1889-1910). Together with Khama III and Sebele I he is credited with saving the young British Bechuanaland Protectorate, a predecessor of Botswana, from b ...

– Former Kgosi (paramount chief) of the Ngwaketse *

Manne Dipico Manne Emsley Dipico, first Premier of the Northern Cape Province, South Africa, was born in Kimberley on 21 April 1959. He was appointed Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa) in 2006. He is Chairman of Ponahalo Holdings ...

– first premier of Northern Cape province, South Africa *

Winkie Direko Isabella Winkie Direko (27 November 192917 February 2012) was a South African politician born in the Free State province of South Africa. She was a member of the African National Congress and served as Premier of the Free State from 1999 to 2004 ...

– former premier of Free State and former chancellor of University of Free State *

Unity Dow Unity Dow ( Diswai; born 23 April 1959) is a Motswana lawyer, human rights activist, specially elected member of parliament, and a writer. She formerly served as a judge on the High Court of Botswana and in various government ministries. Born ...

– Botswana former High Court judge, author, activist, Minister * John Taolo Gaetsewe – Trade unionist, member of the ANC and General Secretary of SACTU, Robben Island prisoner, banned person * Khama III – King of Botswana *

Ian Khama Seretse Khama Ian Khama (born 27 February 1953) is a Botswana politician and former military officer who was the fourth President of the Republic of Botswana from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2018. After serving as Commander of the Botswana Defence ...

– Fourth President of Botswana *

Seretse Khama Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama, GCB, KBE (1 July 1921 – 13 July 1980) was a Motswana politician who served as the first President of Botswana, a post he held from 1966 to his death in 1980. Born into an influential royal fa ...

– First President of Botswana * Moses Kotane – South African politician and activist * David Magang – Botswana lawyer, businessman and politician *

Supra Mahumapelo Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo is a South African politician and musician. He served as the Provincial Secretary of the African National Congress North West Provincial Leadership from 2011 until August 2018. He previously served as Speaker ...

– South African politician * Mmusi Maimane – South African politician * Toto Makgolokwe – Paramount chief (kgosi) of the Batlharo tribe of South Africa *

Lucas Mangope Kgosi Lucas Manyane Mangope (27 December 1923 – 18 January 2018) was the leader of the Bantustan (homeland) of Bophuthatswana. The territory he ruled over was distributed between the Orange Free State – what is now Free State – and North W ...

– Former President of Bophutatswana *

Quett Masire 'Ketumile Quett Joni Masire'', GCMG (24 July 1926 – 22 June 2017) was the second and longest-serving President of Botswana, in office from 1980 to 1998. He was honored with the Knighthood of the Grand Cross of Saint Michael and Saint Ge ...

– Second President of Botswana *

Mokgweetsi Masisi Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (born 21 July 1961) is the fifth and current President of Botswana, serving since 2018. He served as the 8th Vice President of Botswana from 12 November 2014 to 1 April 2018. He was a Member of Parliament in the ...

– President of Botswana * Joe Matthews – South African politician * Naledi Pandor (née Matthews) – South African politician and minister * Festus Mogae – Third President of Botswana *

Mogoeng Mogoeng Mogoeng Thomas Reetsang Mogoeng (born 14 January 1961) is a South African jurist who served as the Chief Justice of South Africa from 8 September 2011 until his retirement on 11 October 2021. Early life Mogoeng was born on 14 January 1961 in ...

– Chief Justice, South Africa *

Job Mokgoro Tebogo Job Mokgoro (born 15 May 1948) is a South African politician and academic who served as the 6th Premier of North West from June 2018 until his resignation in August 2021. He was a Member of the North West Provincial Legislature during tha ...

– South African politician and academic *

Yvonne Mokgoro Yvonne Mokgoro (born 19 October 1950) is a former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and wife to Job Mokgoro. Career Mokgoro was appointed to the bench in 1994 by Nelson Mandela. Mokgoro is a board member of the Centre for Huma ...

– Former South African Constitutional Court Justice *

Brian Molefe Brian Molefe is a South African businessman. He was previously a political activist and politician. He is best known for his roles as the CEO of Transnet (2010-2015) and Eskom (2015-2016) during the period of state capture in South Africa invol ...

– South African businessman, appointed CEO of Transnet in February 2011, and CEO of Eskom in April 2015 *

Popo Molefe Popo Simon Molefe (born 26 April 1952 in Sophiatown, Johannesburg) is a businessman and former politician from South Africa. Early life One of eight children, Molefe was the son of a laborer and a domestic worker, though he was raised largely by ...

– first

premier of North West The Premier of North West is the head of government of the North West province of South Africa. The current Premier of the North West is Bushy Maape, a member of the African National Congress, who was elected premier in September 2021 after th ...

province, South Africa *

Dipuo Peters Elizabeth Dipuo Peters (born 13 May 1960 in Kimberley, Northern Cape) was the Minister of Transport of the Republic of South Africa from 10 July 2013 until 30 March 2017, in the Zuma administration, and former Minister of Energy from 2009 to 201 ...

– South Africa politician, former Minister of Transport and Minister of Energy from 2009 to 2013 * Edna Molewa – South African politician *

Leruo Molotlegi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi (born 1968) is the 36th ''kgosi'', or king, of the Royal Bafokeng Nation. The Bafokeng nation is located in North West Province of the Republic of South Africa. Biography Molotlegi has served as ''Kgosi'' since 2000, ...

– King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation * Ruth Mompati – South African political activist *

James Moroka James Sebe Moroka, OLG (16 March 1891 – 10 November 1985) was a medical doctor and a politician, who was the president of the African National Congress 1949–1952.

– one of the ANC Presidents (1949 to 1952) *

Dikgang Moseneke Dikgang Ernest Moseneke (born 20 December 1947) is a South African judge and former Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa. Biography Moseneke was born in Pretoria and went to school there. He joined the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) at the a ...

– South African judge and former Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa *

Nthato Motlana Dr. Nthato Harrison Motlana (16 Feb 1925 – 1 December 2008) was a prominent South African businessman, physician and anti-apartheid activist. Early life He was born in Marapyane close to Pretoria. He attended and matriculated at Kilnerton Hi ...

– Prominent South African businessman, physician and anti-apartheid activist * Bridgette Motsepe – South African businesswoman * Patrice Motsepe – South African billionaire mining businessman *

Tshepo Motsepe Tshepo Motsepe (born 17 June 1953) is a South African physician and businesswoman. She is the First Lady of South Africa, as the wife of Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa. She is the older sister of Bridgette Radebe and her brother i ...

– First Lady of South Africa as the wife of Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa *

Sebele I Sebele I was a chief (''kgosi'') of the Kwena —a major Tswana tribe (''morafe'') in modern-day Botswana— who ruled from 1892 until his death in 1911. During his lifetime, he resisted the 1885 Bechuanaland Protectorate"Sechele’s t ...

– Former Chief (Kgosi) of the Kwena – a major Tswana tribe (morafe) in modern-day Botswana * Molefi Sefularo – South African politician * Abram Onkgopotse Tiro – South African student activist and black consciousness militant

References

* * *http://www.namibian.org/travel/namibia/population/tswana.htm * * *http://mphebathomuseum.org.za/?q=node/42 {{DEFAULTSORT:Sotho-Tswana peoples

Ethnonym

Sotho Ethnonym

Tswana Ethnonym

Names

Classification

Notable people

Politics, royalty, activism, business and economics

See also

References