Mmalekwa royal cemetery in Kanye remains in a dilapidated state, despite receiving over one million pula in donations in 2021 to refurbish it.
This has left residents and stakeholders deeply concerned about the project’s transparency and progress.
On Monday, The Midweek Sun visited the cemetery at the invitation of the Kanye Ministers’ Fraternal, which had volunteered to clean the grounds.
Their mission was to ensure that the graves of past leaders are maintained in a dignified state. The clean-up ceremony began with several speeches, each emphasising the sacred duty of caring for the final resting places of leaders and preserving the heritage of Kanye.
The Mmalekwa royal cemetery holds unique historical and cultural value, as it is unlike any other in the region. It is one of the few cemeteries that defies segregation by race or status with Bangwaketse royals, European traders, missionaries, former British South Africa Police officers, local residents, and even European travellers buried side by side, symbolising a unique historical mingling.
In 2015, Bangwaketse Paramount Chief Kgosi Malope issued a public appeal for funds to restore the cemetery and protect its historical significance. The response was encouraging, Debswana Mine donated P1 million, while the mining supplier company Komatsu contributed an additional P500,000.
The funds were specifically for a multi-phase development of the cemetery, starting with the construction of a boundary wall, followed by the creation of walkways, a chapel, and a digital library to showcase the cemetery’s heritage.
However, nearly three years after receiving the funds, the cemetery remains largely untouched. The site features a plastered but unpainted boundary wall, reportedly costing P500,000.
Beyond this, there is an incomplete structure built with stock bricks. This structure, which was meant to house some of the planned amenities, is said to have consumed P1 million, a sum that has raised eyebrows among local
residents.
"There’s no way that empty structure could cost P1 million. It’s clear the money was misused," one concerned resident said, reflecting the growing frustration among Kanye's community members.
Many are now calling for greater accountability from the cemetery committee, demanding a detailed breakdown of expenses and receipts to verify how the money was spent.
Residents are questioning the lack of transparency surrounding the project and are urging the committee to explain why the work has stalled.
"We need to know how the money was used. The project is far from completion, and it is unfair to the community and to the legacy of the people buried here," another resident added.
Chairperson of the Mmalekwa royal cemetery committee, Edward Dibeela, admitted to The Midweek Sun that indeed the project remains incomplete, but attributed the delay to the exhaustion of funds.
"We had every intention to fully develop the area, but the money ran out along the way," Dibeela said.
He explained that the tendering process had been followed, and a local company was awarded the contract for the construction work.
"We chose a local company out of trust, but unfortunately, the money got finished before the project was completed," Dibeela stated, noting that the contractor had been paid, but the funds were depleted before the project could progress beyond its current state.
Despite these explanations, many residents remain unconvinced. They are calling for an independent audit of the project to assess whether the funds were used appropriately.
The unfinished state of the cemetery has left many feeling disappointed, particularly given the historical importance of the site and the significant donations it received.
"The cemetery was seen as a site that could attract both cultural tourism and historical interest, but now stands as a symbol of failed promises, the resting place of our ancestors and leaders remains in a state of neglect, far from the vision outlined when the project was first announced," a Kanye resident said.
This has left residents and stakeholders deeply concerned about the project’s transparency and progress.
On Monday, The Midweek Sun visited the cemetery at the invitation of the Kanye Ministers’ Fraternal, which had volunteered to clean the grounds.
Their mission was to ensure that the graves of past leaders are maintained in a dignified state. The clean-up ceremony began with several speeches, each emphasising the sacred duty of caring for the final resting places of leaders and preserving the heritage of Kanye.
The Mmalekwa royal cemetery holds unique historical and cultural value, as it is unlike any other in the region. It is one of the few cemeteries that defies segregation by race or status with Bangwaketse royals, European traders, missionaries, former British South Africa Police officers, local residents, and even European travellers buried side by side, symbolising a unique historical mingling.
In 2015, Bangwaketse Paramount Chief Kgosi Malope issued a public appeal for funds to restore the cemetery and protect its historical significance. The response was encouraging, Debswana Mine donated P1 million, while the mining supplier company Komatsu contributed an additional P500,000.
The funds were specifically for a multi-phase development of the cemetery, starting with the construction of a boundary wall, followed by the creation of walkways, a chapel, and a digital library to showcase the cemetery’s heritage.
However, nearly three years after receiving the funds, the cemetery remains largely untouched. The site features a plastered but unpainted boundary wall, reportedly costing P500,000.
Beyond this, there is an incomplete structure built with stock bricks. This structure, which was meant to house some of the planned amenities, is said to have consumed P1 million, a sum that has raised eyebrows among local
residents.
"There’s no way that empty structure could cost P1 million. It’s clear the money was misused," one concerned resident said, reflecting the growing frustration among Kanye's community members.
Many are now calling for greater accountability from the cemetery committee, demanding a detailed breakdown of expenses and receipts to verify how the money was spent.
Residents are questioning the lack of transparency surrounding the project and are urging the committee to explain why the work has stalled.
"We need to know how the money was used. The project is far from completion, and it is unfair to the community and to the legacy of the people buried here," another resident added.
Chairperson of the Mmalekwa royal cemetery committee, Edward Dibeela, admitted to The Midweek Sun that indeed the project remains incomplete, but attributed the delay to the exhaustion of funds.
"We had every intention to fully develop the area, but the money ran out along the way," Dibeela said.
He explained that the tendering process had been followed, and a local company was awarded the contract for the construction work.
"We chose a local company out of trust, but unfortunately, the money got finished before the project was completed," Dibeela stated, noting that the contractor had been paid, but the funds were depleted before the project could progress beyond its current state.
Despite these explanations, many residents remain unconvinced. They are calling for an independent audit of the project to assess whether the funds were used appropriately.
The unfinished state of the cemetery has left many feeling disappointed, particularly given the historical importance of the site and the significant donations it received.
"The cemetery was seen as a site that could attract both cultural tourism and historical interest, but now stands as a symbol of failed promises, the resting place of our ancestors and leaders remains in a state of neglect, far from the vision outlined when the project was first announced," a Kanye resident said.
