Phuthaditjhaba - Thabo Mofutsanyana - Free State

Phuthaditjhaba - translated means "The meeting place of nations."

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_mountain.jpgThe flat-topped sandstone mountain in the area was first named QwaQwa, meaning Whiter Than White, by the San people. This either refers to the white snow in winter, or to the droppings of vultures which leave snow white markings on the sandstone.

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_zulu_warriors.jpgDuring Zulu disturbances around 1840, a section of the Kgolokwe tribe under Chief Whetse fled here. The area was then named after him: Witsieshoek (i.e. Whetse's Glen). Another tribe, the Tlokwa under leadership of Chief Koos Mota settled here in 1873.

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_sotho_people.jpgToday the area is mainly inhabited by the Kgolokwe & Tlokwa tribes. The name Phuthaditjhaba was given when this area became a homeland to the South Sotho people during the apartheid era.

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_snow_capped_maluti_mountain_ranges.jpgPhuthaditjhaba has a scenically magnificent location nestled in a corner between the Drakensberg & Maluti mountain ranges. It is near to Golden Gate National Park & an interesting feature for tourists is the Basotho cultural village.

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_qwa-qwa_national_park.jpgIt also offers a wealth of sightseeing. There’s the Qwa-Qwa National Park, the statue of Chief Paulus Mopedi – founder of Qwa-Qwa, & the Batloka Monument. Visit the South Sotho Open Air Museum & the Basotho Cultural Village.

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_sentinel_peak_chain_ladder.jpgThere’s a pony trek to admire the rock art of the region & an exhilarating 4x4 off-road track. You can also venture the thrill of mountain climbing by means of the chain ladder, an overnight hut & a car park that is available at Sentinel Peak.


Basotho cultural village

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_cultural_village.jpgA visit to the Basotho Cultural Village which nestles at the foot of huge sandstone mountains, will give you a deeper insight into the lifestyle of the South Sotho from the 16th century to the picturesque present.

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_basotho_hospitality.jpgFollow the guide's footsteps into the "khotla", the gathering place of men. Accept the Basotho hospitality by taking a sip from the traditional beer offered. Listen to the rangoon & lesiba & engage in a game of marabaraba.

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_ngaka.jpgConsult the ngaka, the captain's advisor, in his professional capacity as traditional healer & allow him to enlighten you as he has been doing for centuries. Step into the home of either the first, second or third wife & move to the rhythm of the women grinding the maize & sifting beer.

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_basotho_hut.jpgPass the tokened where grandmothers used to gather the young girls around them to initiate them in folklore by ways of riddles, fables & marvelous tales. The huts are built & furnished according to the time frame depicted by each one.

 

phuthaditjhaba_-_decorated_basotho_hut.jpgThe Basotho women do the interior & exterior decoration of huts. It is called litem' & can still be admired on a drive through the Free State rural areas. The colors are extremely vibrant & dramatic.

 

basotho_cultural_village_dancers.jpgThe heart of the visitor is won over by the majesty of the surrounding landscape & by the spiritual ethos of the beautiful Basotho people dancing, singing & rejoicing in sheer well-being & to their heart's content.
 
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