Mofokeng, noun

Plurals:
Bafokeng, Fokeng; formerly also Bafuking.
Origin:
Sotho, South African EnglishShow more Sotho, mo- + fok- adaptation of phoka dew (their totem) + locative suffix -eng, -ng (plural Bafokeng). For an explanation of the form Fokeng in modern South African English, see note at ba- on the use of this plural prefix.
A member of a Tswana people, living mainly in what was formerly the ‘homeland’ of Bophuthatswana. Also attributive. See also Tswana sense 2 a.
1909 G.Y. Lagden Basutos I. 22The Bafuking are considered real Basutos, and chiefs always try to marry Bafuking wives...Their clans were much scattered through the Bakwena country, and their Siboko (coat-of-arms) was the Dew.
1930 S.T. Plaatje Mhudi (1975) 46The Great One has sent invitations to all the Bechuana chiefs...The Bahurutshe are strongly represented and the Bafokeng have also sent delegates.
1953 P. Lanham Blanket Boy’s Moon 98This medicine horn will require as one of its magic ingredients the blood and flesh of a man of the Bafokeng clan.
1977 T.R.H. Davenport S. Afr.: Mod. Hist. 7The original Sotho-speakers are not easy to identify. Among the first were the Fokeng.
1979 P. Miller Myths & Legends 173In the beginning — about 1400 A.D. — it would appear that two groups of Sotho-Tswana wandered down from..Botswana...One group revered the cold dew, a major source of life in the dry wilderness of Africa; from this dew (fokeng) they called themselves ba Fokeng.
1983 K. Kalane in City Press 22 May 2A two-part rebellion by the Bafokeng tribe in Bophuthatswana prompted President Lucas Mangope’s hurried appearance here last week.
1986 P. Maylam Hist. of Afr. People 43The evidence of oral tradition..suggests that the Fokeng and Kwena were among the first Sotho groups to move across the Vaal.
1988 M. Nkotsoe in Staffrider Vol.7 No.3, 372The village of Phokeng is the heartland of the Tswana-speaking Bafokeng people.
1988 Frontline Nov. 20Her husband is chief Edward Lebone Molotlegi, chief of the 300 000-strong Bafokeng, on whose territory lies most of South Africa’s platinum.
1990 Weekend Post 10 Mar. 13The belief that the Government is cheating them has made many Bafokeng very hostile to Mangope...The only Mofokeng now in a prominent position is Deputy Law and Order Minister A N Segoe.
A member of a Tswana people, living mainly in what was formerly the ‘homeland’ of Bophuthatswana. Also attributive.
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19091990