Tswana-Ngwaketse in South Africa

Introduction / History

Setswana is another name for Tswana. It is also the name of their language. At one time, they were part of the Sotho groups until they broke away. Today, there are several Setswana (Tswana) tribes, united by a language and culture, but separated by clans. One of their clan names is Ngwaketse. They live in South Africa and Botswana.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Tswana-Ngwaketse men usually work at mines and return to their wives and children for part of the year. Those who live on good enough land grow grain. The entire community holds land, so they can’t sell land. They might also have livestock. Almost everyone has chickens; chicken meat is common in their dinners. Various kinds of porridges are their staple foods. Bogobe is a porridge made from sorghum or millet. Ting is a popular sorghum-based porridge. Those who have access to cattle enjoy madila, which is like cheese curds.Tswana-Ngwaketse women take care of household duties, child care, and make various crafts for personal use and for sale. Most commonly, they make woven goods, but those who have access to the right equipment are potters or woodworkers.For formal occasions, they wear a cotton fabric called leteishi. Before a wedding, there is the bogadi, a bride price, usually paid to the bride’s family in cows. Young men cannot get their own wealth, so they must depend on their families for this essential gift. If they don’t give it to her family, they will face shame, and the husband will have no legal right to his children.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though Tswana-Ngwaketse Christianity is diverse, with numerous denominations represented, they blend biblical teachings with pre-Christian beliefs. They believe in diviners who they think have the power to communicate with ancestral spirits to benefit the living. Because they believe in ancestral spirits, funerals are important in their culture. Funerals are elaborate, and they can last a whole week. They often involve slaughtering cattle to feed guests. When one dies, they graduate from being an elder to being an ancestor. Those who die with regrets become ghosts who haunt the living during the night.

What Are Their Needs?

One of their greatest needs is spiritual. The Tswana-Ngwaketses need spiritual renewal that can only come from a work of the Holy Spirit. They need to put all their faith in Jesus Christ to provide their needs, reserving nothing for ancient spirits.

Prayer Points

Pray for hundreds to be raised up with a defiant faith in Christ, one that will not be shaken, no matter what comes their way.Pray for God to bring about his purpose for the Tswana-Ngwaketses.Pray for Tswana-Ngwaketse Christians to have love, joy, peace, and patience as they tell others about the King of kings.Pray for a powerful Holy Spirit revival to flood through South Africa and Botswana, blessing southern Africa in every way.

Text Source:   Joshua Project