The funeral of the late Former acting King of Bapedi Kgagudi Kenneth KK Sekhukhune took place on Saturday in Sekhukhune, Limpopo.
Sekhukhune died earlier in June at the age of 78. He served the throne from 1973 to 2023 as Acting Paramount Chief and Regent to the Kingship. The funeral was attended by amongst others Royal Highnesses and delegates from neighbouring countries Botswana, Lesotho and eSwatini. This includes the North West and entourage representing King Misizulu Sinqobile KaZwelithini the King of the Zulu Nation.
Mining magnates Patrice Motsepe and Tim Tebeila and government officials were also there to pay their last respects.
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The proceedings began at the Royal House where the Royal Family conducted Royal Rituals as per tradition and then proceeded to Old Fetakgomo Sports Ground for a formal programme. He buried at the Royal Kraal at Tjate, Mohlaletse, Maroteng Village.
Hlabirwa’a Bauba is survived by his wife Maakopi Violet Sekhukhune (Meta’a Phaahla). His Candle Wife Mohumagadi Nancy Khudu Sekhukhune (Matladi’a Mmaswi), eight children (three sons and five daughters) and nine grandchildren.
OBITUARY READ AT THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE KGOSI KGAUDI KENNETH
Sekhukhune was born on 25 Mopitlo 1945 at Mohlaletse village, Marota Mohlaletse Royal Kraal. He is the only son of Kgošikgolo Morwamotshe II and Maakopi Sekhukhune.
He started schooling in 1961 at Mohlaletse Bantu Primary School up until Standard Six. Sekhukhune also underwent Initiation School in 1964 with Matuba Regiment and completed it in 1966. He attended his secondary studies at Mphakaneng High School Ga-Maja. Hlabirwa’a Bauba worked for the railway in Johannesburg, Gauteng as a Ticket Examiner.
From 1968 to 1969 he worked for Compound Reinforcing Construction Company also in Johannesburg and later on he got an injury that affected his eyesight and subsequently, he lost his sight and had to go to the School of the Blind.
The late resigned from Compound Reinforcing Construction Company and came back home. He was then employed at Maandagshoek HC Hospital where he worked as a Clerk in 1973. In 1976 the Royal Family reached a decision to appoint Hlabirwa’a Bauba the Acting Kgosikgolo of the Bapedi Nation.
KK DETHRONE FROM THE KINGSHIP
He acted in these positions ever since until 2019 when he was unceremoniously dethroned by the President subsequent to the Constitutional Court Judgment when it upheld the Recommendations of the Nhlapo Commission and North Gauteng High Court Judgment. Hlabirwa’a Bauba was left in his position as Kgosi of Marota Mohlaletse Traditional Community until he met his death.
The late was married to Maakopi Violet Morwamotshe in December 1976 and blessed with six children, three sons and three daughters. In 1981 the Royal Family of Morota decided to marry a Candle Wife for him and Nancy Khudu Mphahlele (Matladi’a Ngwato) was married from Mphahlele Royal Family. Hlabirwa’a Bauba and Matladi’a Mmaswi were blessed with three children, two daughters and a son (the Heir to the Throne of Bapedi).
