You know what? If you have ever tried to catch a rabbit, you know it’s nearly impossible. They are fast, they are smart, and they can disappear in the blink of an eye.
Well, if you know a Mofokeng, you are dealing with that same kind of sharp energy.
The Mofokeng clan is one of the biggest and most respected families in the Sotho-Tswana culture (that includes people from Lesotho, the Free State, and parts of North West in South Africa). Unlike the Zulu clans we talked about before, the Mofokeng people don’t just have praises; they have a Totem.
Today, we are going to hop into the history of the Mofokeng clan (pun intended). We are going to find out why they worship the Hare and why they are called “The People of the Dew.”
So, get comfortable. Let’s talk about the masters of strategy.
The Mofokeng Cheat Sheet (The Praises)
If you want to greet a Mofokeng properly, you need to know their Direto (praises). You can’t just wave. You need to acknowledge their animal and their ancestors. Here is the list:
Mofokeng!
Mmutla! (The Hare/Rabbit)
Motho wa Mmutla! (Person of the Hare)
Phoka! (The Dew)
Wena wa ha Mmutla o robala ka tsela! (You of the Hare that sleeps on the road)
Napo!
Motho wa ha Mokhachane!
O jele kgomo!
It sounds mysterious, right? Rabbits sleeping on roads? Eating cows? Let’s decode it.
The Totem: “Mmutla” (The Hare)
This is the most important thing to know. The Mofokeng people venerate the Hare (Mmutla).
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Now, in Western stories, the rabbit is cute and fluffy. But in African folklore? The Hare is the Trickster. He is the smartest animal in the bush. He outsmarts the lion, he tricks the elephant, and he always survives.
Why did the ancestors choose the Hare?
There is a legend that says during a terrible war or a great migration, the ancestors were being chased by enemies. They were exhausted. They hid in the bushes, terrified.
Suddenly, a hare jumped out from the very bush where they were hiding and ran away. The enemies saw the hare and thought, “Oh, there can’t be people hiding there, or the hare would have run away long ago.” So, the enemies walked right past.
The hare saved their lives. Since then, a true Mofokeng will never harm a hare. It is their protector.
“Mmutla o robala ka tsela”
You will hear this praise often: “Mmutla o robala ka tsela.”
Translated: “The Hare that sleeps on the road (or path).”
This doesn’t mean they are lazy and sleep in traffic. It refers to the hare’s unique habit of sleeping with its eyes open.
It means the Mofokeng people are vigilant. They are always alert. Even when they seem relaxed, they are watching. They are ready to move. It’s a warning to enemies: “Don’t think you can sneak up on us. We see you.”
“Phoka” (The People of the Dew)
The name Bafokeng (plural for Mofokeng) actually comes from the word Phoka, which means Dew.
You know, the wet stuff on the grass in the early morning.
Why Dew? Because the Bafokeng were known for being early risers. They were up before the sun, working the land while the dew was still fresh.
It’s a symbol of hard work and purity. They are the people who start the day. They are the freshness of the morning. It’s actually a really beautiful, poetic meaning.
The Royal Connection (Rustenburg)
We can’t talk about Mofokeng without mentioning the Royal Bafokeng Nation.
Based in Phokeng (near Rustenburg), this is one of the richest tribes in Africa. Why? Because their land is sitting on top of massive platinum reserves.
But it wasn’t just luck. Back in the day, their ancestors were smart enough to buy the land legally and keep the title deeds. When the mining boom happened, they owned the ground.
This proves the “Hare” spirit—cleverness and strategy. They didn’t just fight with spears; they fought with papers and brains.
How to Praise a Mofokeng
So, how do you use this in conversation without sounding like a history textbook?
1. The Smart Compliment
If a Mofokeng friend comes up with a clever plan or solves a puzzle, you say:
“Yebo, Mmutla! Sharp as a hare!”
They will love the recognition of their “trickster” intelligence.
2. The Greeting
Instead of “Hello,” try:
“Dumela, Phoka.”
It’s a soft, respectful way of greeting them as “The Dew.” It sounds peaceful and dignified.
3. The “Alert” Joke
If you catch them daydreaming (or sleeping in a meeting!), you can joke:
“Ah, Mmutla is sleeping with his eyes open again!”
It’s a fun inside joke that only people who know the culture will get.
The Final Word
The Mofokeng name is all about brains over brawn.
Sure, they can fight if they have to. But they prefer to outthink you. They prefer to wake up early (Phoka) and stay alert (Mmutla).
So, if you are a Mofokeng, be proud. You don’t need to be the biggest lion in the jungle. You just need to be the smartest hare.
Mmutla! Phoka!