Catholic King Ascends to the Throne In Mmakau Village, Pretoria

by Daluxolo Moloantoa · June 5, 2023

The importance of prayer and the necessity to put God first was the overriding theme at the installation of a Catholic king in Mmakau Village, north-west of Pretoria this past Saturday. Kgosi Patrick Banatso Motsepe was installed as the king of Bakgatla-ba-Mmakau, a clan of the Batswana people.

Among the people present at the installation were a number of other chiefs and a large number of local villagers. In their congratulatory messages to the new king, many of the speakers emphasised the obligation for Kgosi Motsepe to always seek counsel and guidance from God in any situation he may come across during his reign.

On Sunday morning, the Most Holy Redeemer Mission, the king`s home parish celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass for him. In his homily, parish priest Fr Moses Mafui CSS congratulated the new king on his installation. He stated that he hoped that henceforth, he would be able to collaborate with the king`s royal house on projects geared towards uplifting the catholic families and the larger community of Mmakau Village. At the end of the Mass Fr Mafui blessed the royal family.

In his speech, Kgosi Motsepe, whose royal homestead is only a stone`s throw from the mission, thanked the parish for proving him with the support it gave him in preparation for his installation. “I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the church and Fr Moses Mafui Css for the role you played to ensure that my installation goes according to plan.”

I grew up in this mission. I became an altar boy at the age of twelve and served in many ways over the years. I will continue to play my part and continue in this role as your king. A king is there to serve God and His people,” he said.

On Saturday, visiting kings and other dignitaries were hosted for lunch at the mission`s Mmashiko-Mpalwane Adult Education Centre. The centre is named after the king`s parents. The remaining dignitaries, who attended the Mass, were accommodated overnight at the former Sisters of Mercy convent at the mission.

Kgosi Motsepe served as a Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) chairperson at the church for a period of twelve years. His late older brother, Kgosi Petrus Sephola Motsepe was installed as chief of Mmakau Village by Archbishop Emeritus George Daniel in 1977. The Most Holy Redeemer Mission was founded in 1921. It is Pretoria`s first black Catholic mission, and from that foundation, numerous outstations were formed, most of whom are fully-fledged parishes today. It holds the unique distinction of having hosted two future saints. St Pope Paul VI (He was still Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini) in 1962, and St Mother Teresa in 1988.