Her Royal Majesty, Queen Mother Semane Bonolo Molotlegi is a member of the Royal Family, of the 150 000 strong Royal Bafokeng Nation, a Forward-thinking traditional community in South Africa’s North West Province. Her Majesty was blessed with 6 children. Subsequently losing her husband and her first two sons, her third son, Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi is the present King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation.
Her Majesty, as the Queen, and subsequently as Queen Mother, has played a pivotal role in helping the Bafokeng to become the model traditional community it is today. The Queen Mother founded (among others) the Bafokeng Women’s club, Thuto Thebe Educational Fund (Education is a shield) assisting indigent learners, and served actively in health advocacy. She has managed several job creation centres, serves on several boards and is the Former Area President for the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) in Southern Africa; an International women’s Organisation. Among others, she is a Patron of South African Girl Guides and National Choral Music Awards (NACMA).
She is a public and inspirational speaker, and has spoken in several conferences nationally and internationally.
Her Majesty has a history of speaking against oppression, poor education and neglect of rural development.
In February 2003, Her Majesty was awarded the Leading Light Tribute by the International Women’s Forum as an achiever who has enjoyed success, not through privilege, but through resilience and perseverance. She was also conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by the University of the North West, in recognition of her role in Nation Building. The honour was also an appreciation of her courage and determination to serve the Bafokeng people during the dark days of apartheid despite the price she had to pay on many occasions.
As a peace loving person, she in renown for settling disputes positively, which is one of her Royal roles in the community. Humorous compassionate, and with a razor-sharp wit, Mmemogolo (“Our Great Mother” as she is affectionately called) is an emblem of much that is right with Africa today.
