Background
The 1900’s
1921-1923
1923-1965
1966-1968
1974
1921-1923
Under the traditional leadership of Regent Kgosi Isang, the Bakgatla ba Kgafela community embarks on building a school of their own and the first of its kind in the country. Dubbed the “Bakgatla National School” and atop Phuthadikobo Hill, it was based on self reliance with the community providing labour and paying for the building of the school.
1923-1965
The Bakgatla National School serves as a primary school operated entirely by the Bakgatla ba Kgafela community during the leadership of Kgosi Isang and Kgosikgolo Molefi. The only other schools in the country at this time are operated by churches. The school is closed when government takes over education responsibilities as a result of newly acquired independence.
1966-1968
The Bakgatla National School building is acquired for use by the Kgatleng District Council as its first Council Chamber.
1974
An idea for a community museum is muted by community members led by Mr Sandy Grant. Kgosikgolo Linchwe II agrees with and supports the idea. Phuthadikobo Museum is thus registered as a Trust and becomes one of the first community museums in the country. Mr Sandy Grant becomes the first Director of Phuthadikobo Museum.
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1980
1985-1992
1992-1994
1993
1980
In its efforts to generate income for the non governmental organisation, Phuthadikobo Museum establishes a publishing unit focused on the results of the research work done by the staff members. To this end, several titles have been published based on cultural practices of Bakgatla ba Kgafela and Batswana in general.
1985-1992
Phuthadikobo Museum, with its serene environment, is a host to several community projects including cases of abused children, adult education, social events and government official meetings.
1992-1994
Phuthadikobo Museum partners with the Department of National Museum and Monuments to conduct a major research at the sacred Modipe Hill. The research helps to preserve cutural material and years later, to designate the cultural site as a national monument.
1993
Phuthadikobo Museum adds to its assets the Blacksmith which is donated by the Davids family.
The 2000’s:
2006-2009
2007
2008
2009
2006-2009
Phuthadikobo Museum experiences financial instability and corporate governance lapses leading to its near collapse.
2007
Kgosikgolo Linchwe II passes on and Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe takes over the traditional leadership of Bakgatla ba Kgafela in Botswana as the Regent.
2008
Kgosikgolo Kgafela II is enthroned and takes over as the leader of Bakgatla ba Kgafela in Botswana and South Africa. Mr Phemelo Vincent Rapoo is recruited as the new Director of Phuthadikobo Museum.
2009
Kgosikgolo Kgafela II institutes a new Board of Trustees and gives it the mandate of ensuring Phuthadikobo Museum gets back to its knees. Mrs Emeldah Mathe takes over as the new Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
Kgatleng District Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee is instituted to deal with the implementation of the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Kgosi Segale Linchwe is selected as the Chairperson and Phuthadikobo Museum as the Secretariat and its Director the Scretary of the Committee.
Kgatleng District Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee is instituted to deal with the implementation of the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Kgosi Segale Linchwe is selected as the Chairperson and Phuthadikobo Museum as the Secretariat and its Director the Scretary of the Committee.
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2010
2011
2012-2017
2019-2020
2010
The Deed of Trust is revised to be in line with the vision of Kgosikgolo Kgafela II and address corporate governance shortcomings. Office of Kgosikgolo and Phuthadikobo Museum jointly implement Sedibelo Fest. Kgatleng District Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee hosts the international Pilot Project on Community Based ICH Inventorying at Grassroots Level leading to the development of Kgatleng District ICH Database hosted by Phuthadikobo Museum. Botswana ratifies the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. An integrated heritage strategy for Bakgatla ba Kgafela museums in Botswana and South Africa called Bakgatla ba Kgafela Heritage Precincts is started but never completed.
2011
Office of Kgosikgolo starts to make monthly financial contributions to Phuthadikobo Museum for administrative purposes. The office is closed in 2012 and the funding is ceased.
2012-2017
Phuthadikobo Museum becomes a key role player in the implementation of the 2003 Convention through research and implementation of safeguarding plans. UNESCO inscribes the first ICH element from Botswana called Earthenware Pottery Making Skills in Botswana’s Kgatleng District.
Phuthadikobo Museum is funded by UNESCO to implement the safeguarding plan of the element.
UNESCO inscribes Dikopelo Folk Music of Bakgatla ba Kgafela in 2017. Mr Vincent Rapoo leaves the museum and Ms Segakweng Monowe becomes the Acting Director.
Phuthadikobo Museum is funded by UNESCO to implement the safeguarding plan of the element.
UNESCO inscribes Dikopelo Folk Music of Bakgatla ba Kgafela in 2017. Mr Vincent Rapoo leaves the museum and Ms Segakweng Monowe becomes the Acting Director.
2019-2020
The Board of Trustees implements a new Five Year Strategic Plan( Destination
23) earmarked to coincide with the centenary celebrations of the Bakgatla National school building,which hosts Phuthadikobo Museum. The implementation of the strategy is negatively impacted by Covid-19.
The Board of Trustees resigns to allow new Board to take over.
The Board of Trustees resigns to allow new Board to take over.