The minister delivered the keynote address to the multitudes of attendees comprising of chiefs from other villages and their subjects. Contingents of quests from far were Bakgatla ba Kgafela from Botswana and amaNdebele who both have historical ties with the Bapedi Kingdom. A delegation of amaMpondo from Eastern Cape was also in attendance. The Minister of Public Service and Administration Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Deputy Minister of Labour Phathekile Holomisa, National Commissioner Zach Modise and MECs also attended the celebrations. Kgoši Sekwati Mampuru III leads a procession at the Kgoši Mampuru II annual commemoration. Kgoši Mampuru II remembered
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Masutha said Kgoši Mampuru II was honoured by naming the former Pretoria Management Area after him because his history symbolises resistance to the colonial rule. He said the honour was not only for Kgoši Mampuru II, but all warriors who had stood up against repression. He said revitalising the Gallows Museum at Kgoši Mampuru II Management Area and finding the remains of victims of the struggle was also part of the agenda to honour those who fought for freedom. “We are here to recognise the strides made by Kgoši Mampuru II. Many fighters like him were given indigent burials in the belief that their memories would be obliterated. That we shall not allow,” Minister Masutha said. He reassured the descendants of Kgoši Mampuru II that the government will not rest until his remains, which have not been found since he was hanged in Pretoria, are found. The recent exhumation of the remains of 14 Poqo, Pan Africanist Congress military wing, fighters gave hope that Mampuru II’s remains will also be found, he said.