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Ga-Molekwa (Galakwena) Village
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Ga-Molekwa also known as Galakwena a village in Limpopo province northern part of South Africa. Ga-Molekwa is in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality Waterberg District of the Limpopo Province South Africa. The village it’s about 70 km away from Mokopane.

Contents

 History'''

Institutions of Education

Religious Beliefs and Practitioners

Site of Interest

Sports and Recreation

References

History

The place was formed during apartheid where people were running away from apartheid government to hide in mountains. Post-apartheid the Ga-molekwa village people moved closer to the road (D192) passing the village. Since then the village has seen more people from other surrounding village relocating to the village. The village is surrounded by villages like Jakalaskei, Kroomkloof and Wydhoek. The village has a population about 1,117 according to stats SA census 2011. The Village grew rapidly as a result of growth in population. It is now divided into three (3) sections namely: Moeding section which represent north site of the village, Malahleng section which represent south site of the village, and New Stan which also falls under south site but represent new development.

The name Galakwena is derived from the name of the river (Mogalakwena River) which passes next to the village. The name Moeding section was named because of the water streaming downwards the area. While Malahleng section name came from the black soil that was in the area because of the coal that was found in the area. The area was never mined due to the fact that the coal was not enough for production. The river streams from the eastern side of the Waterberg Massif north-eastwards as Nyl River, then about 80km bend northwards and its name changes to Mogalakwena. Then passes Mokopane continue to pass Ga-Molekwa village where you can see the river closely, until it joins the right bank of the Limpopo River between South Africa and Botswana border. Although the community has rivers like Kgwele and Mogalakwena River the village is amongst other villages that are still without water in Limpopo province. Service delivery is still a concern more especially in terms of water supply and road infrastructure.

The inhabitants speak Sepedi as the first home language. Like any other villages the village has a leader (Ntona) Mr Lesiba Molekwa. The village it’s among other villages that falls under Bakenberg village which is governed by Kgosi (chief) Hans Masebe Langa II. Ga-Molekwa village is seen as the center within the west of Waterberg district municipality for most events like community meetings and school events or programs amongst them. For that reason the community hall was built by the government to assist the community with shelter during their meetings.

Institutions of Education

Schools in Ga-Molekwa consist of the Community built Tomo Molekwa pre-school, primary school Galakwinstroom and secondary school Senwane. During the apartheid times, Ga-Molekwa was one of the centres of education within Waterberg district. Senwane senior secondary school was seen as the centre for the surrounding villages. Most of the people attending there were from surrounding villages since then there was no schools in their villages. Tomo Molekwa pre-school was built by the community of Gamolekwa and named after the late Ntona (Community Leader) Tom Molekwa.

Religious Beliefs and Practitioners

Culture and tradition is still being practised by some of community members. Speaking about culture and tradition that are practised in the village. Go phasa the ritual that involves the animal sacrificing or the presenting of tradition beer by the most key figure family member called Rakgadi. Some slaughter goats or cows when they need to communicate with their ancestors while some use snuff and tlhotlwa (African traditional beer). Ancestors may come to you via a spiritual power and give you strength to heal through ditaola (bones). How they prepare traditional beer, they use different kinds of mabele (sorghum meal), then mix with hot water. They then store the mixture in a cool place and leave it for few days. When ready, the old women brew it, and then pour it into moeta (muddy pots), and serve it to the elders. They don’t drink from regular cups, but from mokgopu (traditional cups). Traditional beer for others is cooked and served at weddings, ancestral ceremonies and some sell it to make money. About 80% of South Africa's population describes themselves as being Christian[4 ]. There are various churches in the village. To name the few are Lutheran Church of Southern Africa, Methodist Church of South Africa, both Zion Christian Churches, Assemblies of God of South Africa, Apostolic Churches, etc. Ga-Molekwa village as it is mostly dominated by Bapedi, food like meat and vegetables, and popular dishes including thophi (made from maize meal and a fruit called lerotse, a melon), mashotja (Mopani worms), moroga wa dikgopana (spinach cooked and left to dry in the sun), and dikgobe (coarsely ground corn/samp and beans). Most people around the village still prefer to cook using firewood and three legged pot rather than electricity.

Site of Interest

The village is surrounded by mountains among them is the big mountain and Senwane mountain, that can be seen closely in the village. During raining season one can see Mother Nature of waterfalls on both mountains. Since the village is closer to the mountain one of the major challenges the village is phasing is soil erosion due to water coming from the mountain flooding the streets. There’s also a river called Kgwele which is started by waterfalls from the mountains then flows to Mogalakwena River. One the community member who grew up in the village since 1950 says the river is producing one of the cleanest water in the village as the water is filtered naturally by stone in the mountains before reaching Mogalakwena River. “We used to often go and drink, take a bath while in the mountains looking after our livestock”, He added.

Sports and Recreation

Ga-Molekwa village like any other villages it has various sporting teams, with soccer being the most popular sport in the village. Soccer teams representing the village are Bašiga City Blacks football club which was formed in early 40s, followed by Moeding football club forming rivalry between the two clubs and Shining start football club which was found in early 2001. The teams were established by locals in the village, and over the years this teams has provided many young people with a place to belong, and an opportunity to develop confidence and leadership skills.

References

1.	"Main Place Ga-Molekwa / Galakwena"( http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=4286&id=13345).Census 2011

2.	http://www.mogalakwena.gov.za/?q=node/70

3.

4.	https://www.southafrica.to/people/customs/faiths.php