Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Last leader of an independent Thaba’Nchu honoured with new tombstone

Kgosi Tshipinare Moroka, the last leader of Thaba’Nchu as an independent state, was honoured with a new tombstone today, as the Barolong Boo Seleka nation of Thaba’Nchu remembers his passing on 10 July 1884, exactly 140 years ago. Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka, a descendant of Kgosi Tshipinare and current royal leader of the nation unveiled the tombstone on behalf of the Barolong Boo Seleka. The erection of the tombstone was undertaken as a joint heritage project in collaboration with AfriForum.

Kgosi Tshipinare Moroka was an inspirational leader and courageous warrior who saved the life of his father and predecessor, Kgosi Moroka II, during the Battle of Viervoet against the Kingdom of the BaSotho in 1851. He was a visionary head of state and modernised governance and land tenure of the Barolong Boo Seleka by having the land of the kingdom surveyed and by issuing title deeds to landholders. Kgosi Tshipinare was tragically killed when a force of his half-brother, Lehulere, who disputed his succession to the throne, launched a surprise attack on Thaba’Nchu. He courageously fought the attackers from his house, but was finally driven from his stronghold and shot when the attackers set the dwelling on fire. Kgosi Tshipinare understood the importance of peaceful coexistence and collaboration and followed in the footsteps of Kgosi Moroka II by establishing a formal treaty of friendship and alliance with the Republic of the Orange Free State on 8 August 1883, as his predecessor had done in 1865.

“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Today, we honour our forefather, Kgosi Tshipinare Moroka, who was murdered on this day 140 years ago. He was a righteous man, an exceptional and exemplary leader who died by the sword standing for justice and truth. He was bestowed to lead the nation of Barolong Boo Seleka, from when Thaba’Nchu was an independent country, and he led it diligently. I take a lot of inspiration from him because he had such wisdom and foresight. He had qualities that stood out. As we remember and honour him, today, the responsibility to take the nation to another 140 years rests on our shoulders. May we reflect, self-correct, and build to make our forefathers proud. May our King rest well. Tholo, Mmina Tshipi Noto!!! Kagisho, Pula, Nala,” says Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka, Kgosi of the Barolong Boo Seleka.

“It is a privilege for AfriForum to collaborate with the Barolong Boo Seleka to honour a leader that played such an important role in the history of their cultural community and ours in the eastern Free State. It is a real honour to partake in the restoration of the dignity and cultural self-esteem of a community. The Afrikaner cultural community remembers Kgosi Tshipinare as a visionary servant leader of his people and a true friend and ally. AfriForum is taking inspiration from leaders such as Kgosi Tshipinare as we are working to establish a network of cultural communities, based on mutual recognition and respect, that can provide support to each other. A new order based on community federalism is taking shape on grassroots level that is creating the space for cultural communities to collaboratively shape the future we want for the children of our communities here at the southern tip of Africa,” says Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation at AfriForum.

“The unveiling of this tombstone of one of our historic leaders and heroes is the next step of the 10-year countdown to the bicentenary celebration of our arrival in Thaba’Nchu that, God willing, we will celebrate in 2033,” concludes Kgosi Gaboilelwe.