Moshupa

Moshupa is a village in the Southern District of Botswana with a population of about 18,000. The people of Moshupa are called the Bakgatla-ba-ga Mmanaana. They are a split from the Bakgatla in Mochudi and the whole group originates from the Transvaal region in South Africa where they are said to have split. Moshupa is characterised by unique and gigantic mountain outcrops which often leave visitors in wonder. The giant rocks( some up to 50 metres in radius) are so balanced on top of each other that even the villagers themselves wonder why they do not fall. They are believed to fall only when the village chief is dying, as an omen. The tribal chief of moshupa is Kgosi Kgabosetso Mosielele and as is customary in Botswana the salutation 'kgosi' is the title used before the chiefs name.

There are six primary schools in Moshupa namely, Bakoko, Bakgatla, Kebonyekgotla, Kgabosetso, Kgabophuti and Mosielele Primary schools. The Three junior secondary schools are Baitirile, Diratsame and Mmanaana Junior Secondary School and the only one senior secondary school(or high school) is called Moshupa.

There are three seasonal rivers crossing moshupa and they are Mosope, Hatshelatladi(Gatsalatladi), Monnamme and to some extent Selokolela in the north. The main river Mosope is said to be the host of a legendary Kgwanyape (dragon) which almost all the villagers swear it exists, with the old ones saying it was put there by the first kgosi as a talisman for the village. None of the villagers would dare cross the Mosope river at night especially where it joins the Phuting/kgosing mountain for fear of this kgwanyape(sometimes called Bushi, Seriri, Noga ya metsi). This place, called lefikeng, or just 'hikeng' has a phenomenal rock outcrop curiously balanced upon the rocky river banks with a phenomenal pond underneath it that hardly ever dries. Although the villagers avoid this place as much as they can, local white tourists and teachers prefer to hang around it a lot, only to confirm the locals belief that the 'Kgwnyape' turns into a white lady and sunbathes during the day.

Moshupa is divided into wards or kgotlas, as is typical of any Botswana village. They are Kgosing, Nakedi, Phuting, Kgope, Nkaikela, Mmamohuhumedi, Rungwana, Modimele, Jerusalem(part of Phuting),Mokakaneng, Mogaung, Maburung, Dibotong, Lepapeng, Ntle ga majwe,and many other emerging as the village grows. They all have a sub-chief or Kgosana.

The name Moshupa means Naked and is said to have originated from a lone man found in the place when the people first settled there, although it has not been confirmed whether it is after the man's name or due to the legend that he was always naked.

The member of parliament for Moshupa is called Hon, Maitlhoko G, Mooka.

Moshupa should actually be spelt and pronounced Mosopa and has the name Moshupa because the first documenters were British and would not pronounce and write it well.

An extensive in-depth history of Moshupa was made by one Dr Jeff Ramsay, a historian who now works as press secretary to the office of the President.