800:("God") is viewed as a supreme being who cannot be approached by mortals. Ancestors are seen as intercessors between Modimo and the living, and their favor must be cultivated through worship and reverence. Officially, the majority of Lesotho's population is Catholic. The Southern Basotho's heartland is the Free State province in South Africa and neighboring Lesotho. Both of these largely rural areas have widespread poverty and underdevelopment. Many Sesotho speakers live in conditions of economic hardship, but people with access to land and steady employment may enjoy a higher standard of living. Landowners often participate in subsistence or small-scale commercial farming ventures. However,
56:
911:
1196:
1213:
1247:
95:
155:
135:
1143:, a traditional Basotho dress. The local traditional dresses are made using colored cloth and ribbon accents bordering each layer. Sotho women often purchase this material and have it designed in a style similar to West and East African dresses. Women often wrap a long print cloth or a small blanket around their waist, either as a skirt or as a second garment over it. This is commonly known as a
175:
115:
825:
747:
780:. Migrant workers from the Free State and Lesotho thus helped spread Sesotho to the urban areas of South Africa. It is generally agreed that migrant work harmed the family life of most Sesotho speakers because adults (primarily men) were required to leave their families behind in impoverished communities while they were employed in distant cities.
557:
795:
In terms of religion, the central role that
Christian missionaries played in helping Moshoeshoe I secure his kingdom helped to ensure widespread Basotho conversion to Christianity. Today, the bulk of Sesotho speakers practice a form of Christianity that blends elements of traditional Christian dogma
522:
neighbours. Basotho were mostly independent and relatively isolated up until this point in which they occasionally traded with the regions north of their homeland with external links that are described as "Sporadic and
Marginal". By at least the 17th century CE, a series of Basotho kingdoms covered
1180:
Traditional Sotho healers wear the bandolier, which consists of strips and strings made of leather, sinew, or beads that form a cross on the chest. The bandolier often has pouches of potions attached to it for specific rituals or physical/spiritual protection. It is believed that the
791:
had little effect on their settlement patterns. Large numbers of workers continued to leave the traditional areas of Black settlement. Women gravitated towards employment as agricultural or domestic workers while men typically found employment in the mining sector.
1185:
adopted this bandolier attire for healers during times when the
Basotho and the San traded and developed ties through trade, marriage, and friendship. The San people's use of the bandolier can be seen in their rock paintings that date to the 1700s.
948:, or 85% of the population. It is one of the two official languages in Lesotho, the other being English. Lesotho enjoys one of Africa's highest literacy rates, with 59% of the adult population being literate, chiefly in Sesotho.
816:
born in
Lesotho and other Basotho heartlands. Generally, employment patterns among the Basotho follow the same patterns as broader South African society. Historical factors cause unemployment among the Basotho and other
406:
The ancestors of the Sotho people are believed to have originated from
Northeast Africa, and migrated south in the fifth century CE. The Sotho people have split into different clans over time as a result of the
1036:(SABC), broadcasting solely in Sesotho. There are other regional radio stations throughout Lesotho and the Free State. Half-hour Sesotho news bulletins are broadcast daily on the SABC free-to-air channel
1166:
that covers the waist, particularly the crotch area and part of the buttocks. They also wear gray blankets and goatskin skirts. These garments are worn by young girls and women, particularly virgins.
728:
In 1869, the
British sponsored a process to demarcate the borders of Basutoland. While many clans had territory within Basutoland, large numbers of Sesotho speakers resided in areas allocated to the
1139:
Basotho women usually wear skirts and long dresses in bright colors and patterns, as well as the traditional blankets around the waist. On special occasions like wedding celebrations, they wear the
1021:
to doctoral studies. However, the number of technical materials (e.g., in the fields of commerce, information technology, law, science, and math) in the language is still relatively small.
1017:
Sesotho is used in a range of educational settings, both as a subject of study and as a medium of instruction. It is used in its spoken and written forms in all spheres of education, from
647:
into a cohesive nation. His leadership allowed his small nation to survive the obstacles that destroyed other indigenous South
African kingdoms during the 19th century, such as the Zulu
1107:
is often worn over the shoulders or waist and protects the wearer against the cold. Although many Sotho people wear westernized clothing, often traditional garments are worn over them.
2477:
725:, the site of Lesotho's current capital. Local chieftains retained power over internal affairs, while Britain was responsible for foreign affairs and the defense of the protectorate.
452:
in 1868 and he asked the
British for protection. Some of the Southern Sotho speakers who were not part of Moshoeshoe's kingdom when he united some of their tribesmen are living in
441:) divided Sotho land amongst themselves in the late 19th century. Lesotho was created by the settlers in the 1869 Convention of Aliwal North following the conflict over land with
643:
gained control of the
Basotho kingdoms of the southern highveld. Universally praised as a skilled diplomat and strategist, he molded the disparate refugee groups escaping the
3098:
2334:
670:, an easily defensible mountain in the northern Drakensberg mountain range, thus laying the foundations of the eventual Kingdom of Lesotho. His capital was later moved to
1357:
1081:
includes
Sesotho content. Since the codification of Sesotho orthography, literary works have been produced in Sesotho. Notable Sesotho-language literature includes
850:
738:
republic that bordered the Basotho kingdom. King Moshoeshoe died two years later in 1870, after the end of war, and was buried at the summit of Thaba Bosiu.
2470:
2105:
Posel, D. "Have Migration Patterns in Post-Apartheid South Africa Changed? Conference on African Migration in Comparative Perspective". Johannesburg: 2003.
518:
while others got assimilated into building the Nguni nation. By the 16th century, Iron-working was well established in Basotho communities alongside their
1727:
1999. UNESCO general history of Africa: Volume V – Africa from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century (Abridged version). Oxford: Currey. page.336
3091:
2327:
1195:
2463:
1033:
1044:
also features a daily half-hour Sesotho bulletin. Both SABC and the eTV group produce a range of programs that feature some Sesotho dialogue.
2117:
1810:
956:
1783:
1014:
usage are available, but one conservative estimate of the number of people who speak Sesotho as a second (or later) language is 5 million.
862:
688:
448:
The Southern Sotho of Lesotho's identity emerged from the creation of Lesotho by the British after the Boers defeated Moshoeshoe I in the
2880:
964:
532:
979:'s people speak Sesotho as their first language, with many speakers living in the Standerton area. Two percent of the residents of the
3084:
2320:
1864:
1577:
975:, 5% of the population speaks Sesotho as a first language, with a concentration of speakers in the Maboloka region. Three percent of
1212:
1273:
2072:
1115:
Many Basotho who live in rural areas wear clothing that suits their lifestyles. For instance, boys who herd cattle in the rural
765:, to absorb part or all of Basutoland were unsuccessful. In 1966, Basutoland gained its independence from Britain, becoming the
694:
Aside from acting as state ministers, missionaries (primarily Casalis and Arbousset) played a vital role in delineating Sesotho
3050:
2894:
1062:
or both Sesotho and English. There are no fully fledged South African newspapers in Sesotho except for regional newsletters in
880:
2003:
874:
698:
and printing Sesotho language materials between 1837 and 1855. The first Sesotho translation of the Bible appeared in 1878.
55:
2494:
2486:
818:
495:
702:
449:
3030:
2288:
The Global Etiquette Guide to Africa and the Middle East: Everything You Need to Know for Business and Travel Success
1177:
as well as colorful blankets. These traditional outfits are often combined with more modern items, like sunglasses.
3060:
2822:
1764:
886:
776:. To enter the cash economy, Lesotho men often migrated to large cities in South Africa to find employment in the
3107:
3045:
2847:
2359:
2343:
1641:
952:
1611:
1047:
In Lesotho, the Lesotho National Broadcasting Service broadcasts to South Africa via satellite pay-TV provider,
2914:
2904:
910:
762:
471:
In modern times, the Sotho continue to make significant contributions to South African and Lesotho societies.
3055:
3040:
2860:
1421:
938:
3035:
2998:
2875:
2865:
1616:
1439:
412:
3154:
2972:
2924:
2919:
2909:
2188:
United Nations Scientific and Educational Council (UNESCO) (2000) World Languages Survey. Paris: UNESCO.
1693:
1267:
1116:
983:
speak Sesotho as a first language, though they are located mostly in the northern part of the province.
892:
691:
provided the King with foreign affairs counsel and helped to facilitate the purchase of modern weapons.
465:
438:
1155:
Special clothing is worn for special events like initiation rites and traditional healing ceremonies.
2980:
2929:
2899:
2855:
2814:
2617:
2531:
1393:
1128:
489:
388:
2802:
2369:
1905:
1745:
1246:
972:
524:
2158:
1779:
1433:
1279:
1103:, a conical hat with a decorated knob at the top that is worn differently for men and women. The
766:
539:, or extended clans, each of which was ruled by its own chief. Chiefdoms were united into loose
1498:
2516:
1860:
1806:
1802:
1599:
1583:
1337:
1312:
1159:
915:
812:
The allure of urban areas has not diminished, and internal migration continues today for many
758:
729:
2141:
Zerbian, S.; Barnard, E. (2008). "Phonetics of Intonation in South African Bantu Languages".
2150:
2026:
1589:
1546:
1327:
1170:
358:
328:
208:
1473:
2399:
1651:
1533:
1510:
1504:
1469:
1369:
1353:
1347:
1341:
1300:
1285:
1202:
1104:
1011:
777:
773:
660:
629:
503:
485:
392:
2782:
2429:
2384:
2272:
3159:
2947:
2886:
2870:
2666:
2394:
2379:
1853:
1671:
1646:
1595:
1529:
1523:
1492:
1402:
1378:
1306:
1063:
960:
844:
706:
586:
514:
is assumed to have taken place by the 14th century. Some Basotho people split from the
430:
420:
416:
200:
196:
3148:
3133:
3065:
2962:
2957:
2693:
2680:
2674:
2659:
2551:
2434:
2424:
2419:
2374:
2084:
1797:
Phiri, Bizeck J. (2005). "Lozi Kingdom and the Kololo". In Shillington, Kevin (ed.).
1621:
1572:
1563:
1559:
1550:
1538:
1427:
1382:
1294:
1261:
1234:
1086:
1082:
1003:
540:
457:
424:
260:
256:
244:
204:
3128:
3025:
2745:
2645:
2604:
2597:
2576:
2556:
2541:
2536:
2526:
2521:
2511:
2503:
2354:
2162:
2154:
1486:
1478:
1463:
1397:
1331:
1255:
980:
898:
813:
718:
684:
640:
519:
515:
461:
442:
400:
224:
100:
61:
1131:
or caps year-round to protect their faces from cold temperatures and dusty winds.
1091:, which has been translated into several languages, including English and German.
2952:
2797:
2653:
2638:
2631:
2591:
2569:
2455:
2444:
2404:
2389:
1636:
1631:
1626:
1555:
1542:
1451:
1415:
1387:
1318:
1289:
1067:
922:
824:
801:
695:
671:
667:
625:
594:
570:
248:
240:
937:. Some texts may refer to Sesotho as "Southern Sotho" to differentiate it from
2840:
2827:
2777:
2769:
2409:
2364:
1445:
1322:
1182:
976:
710:
633:
499:
252:
17:
636:. They moved inland, where they eventually established independent polities.
3076:
2939:
2312:
1568:
1482:
1457:
1100:
1071:
1029:
1025:
1018:
868:
788:
784:
751:
212:
535:. Basotho society was highly decentralized, and organized on the basis of
411:(a series of wars and migrations that took place in the 19th century) and
3118:
2792:
2765:
2546:
1162:, or girl's initiation ceremony, girls wear a beaded waist wrap called a
1140:
1120:
999:
995:
683:
groups, Moshoeshoe encouraged French missionary activity in his kingdom.
644:
610:
606:
582:
578:
511:
160:
140:
64:, founder of the Southern Basotho Nation of Lesotho, with his Ministers.
2562:
1373:
1059:
1055:
1007:
968:
945:
838:
721:
of Britain. Accordingly, the British administration was established in
714:
649:
614:
590:
556:
528:
453:
408:
396:
180:
120:
1801:. Vol. II: H–O. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn (Routledge). pp.
746:
2583:
1887:
Hill of destiny: the life and times of Moshesh, founder of the Basuto
1288:
anti-apartheid activist and mother of former South African President
1124:
1037:
991:
987:
856:
797:
722:
602:
598:
507:
228:
2204:
Statistics SA (2001) Census 2001. Pretoria: Statistics South Africa.
1315:
South African radio personality, broadcast executive, and politician
701:
In 1868, after losing the western lowlands to the Boers during the
2833:
1245:
745:
621:
574:
536:
506:-speaking people had settled in what is now South Africa by about
434:
1173:, or a boy's initiation ceremony, boys wear a loincloth called a
1099:
The Basotho have a unique traditional attire. This includes the
1048:
1041:
1024:
Sesotho has developed a sizable media presence since the end of
3080:
2459:
2316:
787:
government to force Sesotho speakers to relocate to designated
2439:
2073:"Poverty in South Africa: Extent of access to food and income"
562:
19th century Sotho warrior (top) and King Moshoeshoe (bottom).
502:
who already lived in Southern Africa when they arrived there.
1952:
The Griqua, The Sotho–Tswana, and the Missionaries, 1780–1840
632:, many farmers opted to leave the former Dutch colony in the
379:
373:
343:
337:
772:
Sesotho is widely spoken throughout the subcontinent due to
2184:
2182:
2180:
2178:
2176:
2174:
2172:
1954:. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University Microfilms International.
1472:, South African musician and one third of the Kwaito group
1340:
South African student activist, known for leading the 1976
1119:
and Lesotho wear the Basotho blanket and large rain boots (
757:
Britain's protection ensured that repeated attempts by the
2232:
577:
came into contact with the Basotho people residing on the
2143:
Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
986:
Aside from Lesotho and South Africa, 60,000 people speak
364:
2259:
Thomas Mofolo and the emergence of written Sesotho prose
944:
Sesotho is the first language of 1.5 million people in
1147:, and it can be used to carry infants on their backs.
523:
the southern portion of the African plateau (nowadays
2200:
2198:
2196:
2194:
967:
inhabitants. Approximately 13.1% of the residents of
581:. In 1823, pressure caused one group of Basotho, the
370:
334:
2127:
2125:
624:
began to encroach upon Basotho territory. After the
376:
361:
340:
3018:
2971:
2938:
2813:
2764:
2744:
2692:
2616:
2502:
2493:
1938:
The Basutos: or, twenty-three years in South Africa
1715:
Illustrated History of South Africa: The Real Story
1690:
The Peopling of Africa: A Geographic Interpretation
367:
331:
308:
297:
286:
275:
270:
234:
218:
190:
170:
150:
130:
110:
90:
85:
69:
42:
1852:
2214:
2212:
2210:
1978:
1976:
1077:Currently, the mainstream South African magazine
994:. Additionally, a few Sesotho speakers reside in
959:, almost 4 million people speak Sesotho as their
1846:
1844:
1390:, business person and prominent fashion designer
833:Percent of Sesotho speakers across South Africa:
1917:
1915:
1330:South African politician and former Premier of
1123:) as protection from the wet mountain terrain.
733:
678:
666:In 1822, Moshoeshoe established the capital at
654:
2303:Africa: An Encyclopedia of Culture and Society
2033:. Central Intelligence Agency. 11 October 2022
1880:
1878:
1876:
1032:is a 24-hour Sesotho radio station run by the
971:speak Sesotho as their first language. In the
929:The language of the Basotho is referred to as
851:City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality
628:was ceded to Britain at the conclusion of the
617:). In 1845, the Kololo conquered Barotseland.
3092:
2471:
2328:
2067:
2065:
2063:
1735:
1733:
1558:South African football player who played for
804:and land mismanagement are growing problems.
8:
2301:Falola, Toyin; Jean-Jacques, Daniel (2015).
1708:
1706:
1704:
1702:
1672:"A Historical Look at the Mfecane in Africa"
44:
37:
1828:
1826:
1824:
1822:
1356:South African politician and former deputy
3099:
3085:
3077:
2499:
2478:
2464:
2456:
2335:
2321:
2313:
2021:
2019:
2017:
2015:
2013:
1448:is a Canadian-born actor of Sotho ancestry
54:
36:
953:eleven official languages of South Africa
1837:. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
909:
823:
585:, to migrate north. They moved past the
395:. They primarily inhabit the regions of
1940:. Morija: Morija Museum & Archives.
1663:
1188:
1074:, and possibly other Free State towns.
2077:Human Sciences Research Council Review
1396:Entrepreneur and founding chairman of
1034:South African Broadcasting Corporation
705:, Moshoeshoe successfully appealed to
456:, while some are found in the west of
267:
2290:. John Wiley & Sons. p. 259.
2118:South African National Census of 2011
2113:
2111:
1405:former trade unionist and businessman
1309:South African anti-apartheid activist
957:South African National Census of 2011
925:used by the Sotho people, circa 1897.
27:Bantu ethnic group of Southern Africa
7:
1859:. Cambridge: Yale University Press.
1206:woollen tribal blanket traditionally
863:Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
689:Paris Evangelical Missionary Society
86:Regions with significant populations
2131:Constitution of South Africa (1996)
1786:from the original on 23 April 2014.
639:At the time of these developments,
494:The Basotho nation is a mixture of
445:, the king of the Southern Sothos.
2220:Ethnologue: Languages of the World
1780:"Political History of Barotseland"
1598:South African football player for
1532:South African football player for
1321:Lesotho born activist and wife of
25:
1835:A Concise History of South Africa
1761:A Concise History of South Africa
1586:Lesotho born footballer and coach
990:(a close relative of Sesotho) in
796:with local, pre-Western beliefs.
1924:Moshoeshoe, chief of the Basotho
1713:Bundy, C.; Saunders, C. (1989).
1303:former Prime Minister of Lesotho
1297:former Prime Minister of Lesotho
1282:former Prime Minister of Lesotho
1211:
1194:
569:In the 1820s, refugees from the
555:
415:. There are 3 types of Basotho,
357:
327:
173:
153:
133:
113:
93:
1967:Moshoeshoe: Founder of a Nation
1799:Encyclopedia of African History
1381:, business person; chairman of
1258:, founder of the Basotho nation
881:West Rand District Municipality
2155:10.2989/SALALS.2008.26.2.5.569
2004:National University of Lesotho
1908:: Microsoft Corporation. 2003.
1740:Laband, J. (2003). "Mfecane".
875:Sedibeng District Municipality
653:, the inward expansion of the
1:
2487:Ethnic groups in South Africa
2305:. ABC-CLIO. pp. 656–657.
2056:. Pretoria: J. L. van Schaik.
1717:. Cape Town: Reader's Digest.
1592:South African football player
1580:South African football player
1372:, business executive; CEO of
1274:Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso
1250:Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso
1040:. Independent TV broadcaster
677:To deal with the encroaching
75:
2261:. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
2222:. Dallas: SIL International.
1987:. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
1358:Speaker of National Assembly
1264:, Paramount Chief of Lesotho
1218:Basotho women during Mokhibo
1010:. No official statistics on
620:At about the same time, the
2273:"Traditional Basotho Dress"
1985:Gold and Workers: 1886–1924
1571:former football player for
1541:former football player for
1344:against Afrikaans education
3176:
1765:Cambridge University Press
1276:, Queen Consort of Lesotho
887:Midvaal Local Municipality
483:
3114:
3108:Ethnic groups in Eswatini
2360:Barokologadi Ba Ga Maotwa
2350:
2344:Ethnic groups in Botswana
2083:(4). 2006. Archived from
1855:A History of South Africa
1688:(2001); James L. Newman,
1686:A History of South Africa
1642:Liphofung Historical Site
389:Sotho-Tswana ethnic group
239:
223:
195:
74:
53:
1748:: Microsoft Corporation.
1481:, former lead singer of
1350:South African politician
955:. According to the 2011
763:Republic of South Africa
750:A Mosotho man wearing a
597:, (which is now part of
1454:, South African actress
1442:, choral music composer
1422:Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa
1190:Sotho Cultural Clothing
1127:also often wear woolen
933:less commonly known as
703:Free State–Basotho Wars
1983:Calinicos, L. (1982).
1950:Legassick, M. (1972).
1617:Sotho-Tswana languages
1501:South African comedian
1440:Michael Mosoeu Moerane
1436:, South African singer
1430:, South African singer
1251:
1151:Special clothing items
951:Sesotho is one of the
941:, also called Sepedi.
926:
829:
754:
734:
679:
655:
498:clans that mixed with
45:
2286:Foster, Dean (2002).
1851:Thompson, L. (2001).
1694:Yale University Press
1507:South African actress
1466:, South African actor
1418:, Lesotho born singer
1249:
913:
827:
749:
659:and the plans of the
484:Further information:
351:), also known as the
235:Related ethnic groups
2052:Mokoena, A. (1998).
1936:Casalis, E. (1992).
1926:. London: Heinemann.
1922:Sanders, P. (1975).
1902:Encarta Encyclopedia
1742:Encarta Encyclopedia
1612:Sotho–Tswana peoples
1513:South African rapper
1224:Notable Sotho people
819:Black South Africans
510:Separation from the
490:Sotho-Tswana peoples
2257:Kunene, D. (1989).
1998:Bereng, P. (1987).
1885:Becker, P. (1969).
1526:athlete (Long jump)
1495:South African actor
1460:, Lesotho jazz band
1237:Lesotho born author
1054:Most newspapers in
973:North West Province
963:, including 62% of
893:Free State Province
525:Free State Province
460:, the north of the
39:
2031:The World Factbook
1969:. London: Longman.
1965:Grant, N. (1981).
1889:. London: Longman.
1696:, New Haven, 1995.
1434:Yvonne Chaka Chaka
1280:Pakalitha Mosisili
1252:
927:
830:
774:internal migration
767:Kingdom of Lesotho
755:
3142:
3141:
3074:
3073:
2760:
2759:
2453:
2452:
2218:Lewis, P. (2009)
2054:Sesotho Made Easy
2002:. Roma, Lesotho:
1833:Ross, R. (2009).
1812:978-1-57958-454-2
1759:Ross, R. (2009).
1600:Mamelodi Sundowns
1584:Lehlohonolo Seema
1338:Tsietsi Mashinini
1313:Hlaudi Motsoeneng
1270:, King of Lesotho
1160:Lebollo la basadi
916:Uhadi musical bow
828:Basotho on Horses
759:Orange Free State
730:Orange Free State
450:Third Basotho War
439:Dutch descendants
319:
318:
266:
265:
16:(Redirected from
3167:
3101:
3094:
3087:
3078:
3006:
3001:
2889:
2850:
2843:
2836:
2683:
2669:
2662:
2648:
2641:
2634:
2626:Basotho/S. Sotho
2607:
2600:
2586:
2579:
2572:
2565:
2500:
2480:
2473:
2466:
2457:
2337:
2330:
2323:
2314:
2307:
2306:
2298:
2292:
2291:
2283:
2277:
2276:
2269:
2263:
2262:
2254:
2248:
2247:
2245:
2243:
2229:
2223:
2216:
2205:
2202:
2189:
2186:
2167:
2166:
2138:
2132:
2129:
2120:
2115:
2106:
2103:
2097:
2096:
2094:
2092:
2069:
2058:
2057:
2049:
2043:
2042:
2040:
2038:
2023:
2008:
2007:
1995:
1989:
1988:
1980:
1971:
1970:
1962:
1956:
1955:
1947:
1941:
1934:
1928:
1927:
1919:
1910:
1909:
1897:
1891:
1890:
1882:
1871:
1870:
1858:
1848:
1839:
1838:
1830:
1817:
1816:
1794:
1788:
1787:
1778:Muimui, Lubosi.
1775:
1769:
1768:
1756:
1750:
1749:
1737:
1728:
1725:
1719:
1718:
1710:
1697:
1682:
1676:
1675:
1668:
1590:Kamohelo Mokotjo
1547:Blackburn Rovers
1424:, music composer
1328:Phumulo Masualle
1215:
1198:
1171:Lebollo la banna
935:Sesotho sa borwa
821:to remain high.
783:Attempts by the
761:, and later the
737:
732:, the sovereign
682:
658:
573:expansion under
559:
464:and most of the
386:
385:
382:
381:
378:
375:
372:
369:
366:
363:
350:
349:
346:
345:
342:
339:
336:
333:
268:
183:
179:
177:
176:
163:
159:
157:
156:
143:
139:
137:
136:
123:
119:
117:
116:
103:
99:
97:
96:
77:
70:Total population
58:
48:
40:
21:
3175:
3174:
3170:
3169:
3168:
3166:
3165:
3164:
3145:
3144:
3143:
3138:
3110:
3105:
3075:
3070:
3014:
3004:
2997:
2967:
2934:
2885:
2846:
2839:
2832:
2809:
2756:
2740:
2688:
2679:
2665:
2658:
2644:
2637:
2630:
2612:
2603:
2596:
2582:
2575:
2568:
2561:
2489:
2484:
2454:
2449:
2346:
2341:
2311:
2310:
2300:
2299:
2295:
2285:
2284:
2280:
2271:
2270:
2266:
2256:
2255:
2251:
2241:
2239:
2233:"Bona Magazine"
2231:
2230:
2226:
2217:
2208:
2203:
2192:
2187:
2170:
2140:
2139:
2135:
2130:
2123:
2116:
2109:
2104:
2100:
2090:
2088:
2087:on 14 July 2010
2071:
2070:
2061:
2051:
2050:
2046:
2036:
2034:
2025:
2024:
2011:
1997:
1996:
1992:
1982:
1981:
1974:
1964:
1963:
1959:
1949:
1948:
1944:
1935:
1931:
1921:
1920:
1913:
1899:
1898:
1894:
1884:
1883:
1874:
1867:
1850:
1849:
1842:
1832:
1831:
1820:
1813:
1796:
1795:
1791:
1777:
1776:
1772:
1758:
1757:
1753:
1739:
1738:
1731:
1726:
1722:
1712:
1711:
1700:
1683:
1679:
1670:
1669:
1665:
1660:
1652:Battle of Berea
1608:
1534:Orlando Pirates
1520:
1511:Maglera Doe Boy
1505:Natasha Thahane
1470:Kabelo Mabalane
1412:
1394:Sam Motsuenyane
1370:Phuti Mahanyele
1366:
1354:Lechesa Tsenoli
1348:Angie Motshekga
1342:Soweto Uprising
1301:Leabua Jonathan
1286:Epainette Mbeki
1244:
1231:
1226:
1219:
1216:
1207:
1199:
1153:
1137:
1113:
1111:Basotho herders
1105:Basotho blanket
1097:
1058:are written in
1012:second language
908:
841:Province: 13.1%
810:
778:mining industry
744:
661:Colonial Office
630:Napoleonic Wars
589:and across the
567:
566:
565:
564:
563:
560:
549:
492:
486:Bantu expansion
482:
477:
393:Southern Africa
360:
356:
330:
326:
199:
174:
172:
171:
154:
152:
151:
134:
132:
131:
114:
112:
111:
94:
92:
91:
65:
49:
35:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
3173:
3171:
3163:
3162:
3157:
3147:
3146:
3140:
3139:
3137:
3136:
3131:
3126:
3121:
3115:
3112:
3111:
3106:
3104:
3103:
3096:
3089:
3081:
3072:
3071:
3069:
3068:
3063:
3058:
3053:
3048:
3043:
3038:
3033:
3028:
3022:
3020:
3016:
3015:
3013:
3012:
3009:
3008:
3007:
3002:
2992:
2989:
2986:
2985:Telegu/Andhras
2983:
2977:
2975:
2969:
2968:
2966:
2965:
2960:
2955:
2950:
2948:Cape Coloureds
2944:
2942:
2936:
2935:
2933:
2932:
2927:
2922:
2917:
2912:
2907:
2902:
2897:
2892:
2891:
2890:
2887:Afrikaner-Jews
2878:
2873:
2868:
2863:
2858:
2853:
2852:
2851:
2844:
2837:
2825:
2819:
2817:
2811:
2810:
2808:
2807:
2806:
2805:
2800:
2790:
2789:
2788:
2785:
2774:
2772:
2762:
2761:
2758:
2757:
2755:
2754:
2750:
2748:
2742:
2741:
2739:
2738:
2735:
2732:
2729:
2726:
2723:
2720:
2717:
2714:
2711:
2708:
2705:
2702:
2698:
2696:
2690:
2689:
2687:
2686:
2685:
2684:
2672:
2671:
2670:
2663:
2651:
2650:
2649:
2642:
2635:
2622:
2620:
2614:
2613:
2611:
2610:
2609:
2608:
2601:
2589:
2588:
2587:
2580:
2573:
2566:
2554:
2549:
2544:
2539:
2534:
2529:
2524:
2519:
2514:
2508:
2506:
2497:
2495:Bantu-speaking
2491:
2490:
2485:
2483:
2482:
2475:
2468:
2460:
2451:
2450:
2448:
2447:
2442:
2437:
2432:
2427:
2422:
2417:
2412:
2407:
2402:
2397:
2392:
2387:
2382:
2377:
2372:
2367:
2362:
2357:
2351:
2348:
2347:
2342:
2340:
2339:
2332:
2325:
2317:
2309:
2308:
2293:
2278:
2275:. 5 June 2018.
2264:
2249:
2224:
2206:
2190:
2168:
2149:(2): 235–250.
2133:
2121:
2107:
2098:
2059:
2044:
2009:
2000:I am a Mosotho
1990:
1972:
1957:
1942:
1929:
1911:
1900:"Moshoeshoe".
1892:
1872:
1866:978-0300087765
1865:
1840:
1818:
1811:
1789:
1770:
1751:
1729:
1720:
1698:
1677:
1662:
1661:
1659:
1656:
1655:
1654:
1649:
1647:Sotho calendar
1644:
1639:
1634:
1629:
1624:
1619:
1614:
1607:
1604:
1603:
1602:
1596:Lebohang Maboe
1593:
1587:
1581:
1578:Teboho Mokoena
1575:
1566:
1553:
1536:
1530:Steve Lekoelea
1527:
1524:Khotso Mokoena
1519:
1516:
1515:
1514:
1508:
1502:
1496:
1493:Jerry Mofokeng
1490:
1476:
1467:
1461:
1455:
1449:
1443:
1437:
1431:
1425:
1419:
1411:
1408:
1407:
1406:
1403:James Motlatsi
1400:
1391:
1385:
1379:Kaizer Motaung
1376:
1365:
1362:
1361:
1360:
1351:
1345:
1335:
1325:
1316:
1310:
1307:Mosiuoa Lekota
1304:
1298:
1292:
1283:
1277:
1271:
1265:
1259:
1243:
1240:
1239:
1238:
1230:
1227:
1225:
1222:
1221:
1220:
1217:
1210:
1208:
1200:
1193:
1191:
1152:
1149:
1136:
1133:
1112:
1109:
1096:
1093:
961:first language
939:Northern Sotho
907:
904:
903:
902:
896:
890:
884:
878:
872:
866:
860:
854:
848:
845:Atteridgeville
842:
809:
806:
743:
740:
707:Queen Victoria
587:Okavango Swamp
561:
554:
553:
552:
551:
550:
548:
545:
541:confederations
496:Bantu-speaking
481:
478:
476:
473:
421:Southern Sotho
417:Northern Sotho
317:
316:
310:
306:
305:
299:
295:
294:
288:
284:
283:
277:
273:
272:
264:
263:
237:
236:
232:
231:
221:
220:
216:
215:
193:
192:
188:
187:
184:
168:
167:
164:
148:
147:
144:
128:
127:
124:
108:
107:
104:
88:
87:
83:
82:
72:
71:
67:
66:
59:
51:
50:
43:
33:
26:
24:
18:Basotho people
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
3172:
3161:
3158:
3156:
3153:
3152:
3150:
3135:
3132:
3130:
3127:
3125:
3122:
3120:
3117:
3116:
3113:
3109:
3102:
3097:
3095:
3090:
3088:
3083:
3082:
3079:
3067:
3064:
3062:
3059:
3057:
3054:
3052:
3049:
3047:
3044:
3042:
3039:
3037:
3034:
3032:
3029:
3027:
3024:
3023:
3021:
3017:
3010:
3003:
3000:
2996:
2995:
2993:
2990:
2987:
2984:
2982:
2979:
2978:
2976:
2974:
2970:
2964:
2961:
2959:
2956:
2954:
2951:
2949:
2946:
2945:
2943:
2941:
2937:
2931:
2928:
2926:
2923:
2921:
2918:
2916:
2913:
2911:
2908:
2906:
2903:
2901:
2898:
2896:
2893:
2888:
2884:
2883:
2882:
2879:
2877:
2874:
2872:
2869:
2867:
2864:
2862:
2859:
2857:
2854:
2849:
2845:
2842:
2838:
2835:
2831:
2830:
2829:
2826:
2824:
2821:
2820:
2818:
2816:
2812:
2804:
2801:
2799:
2796:
2795:
2794:
2791:
2786:
2784:
2781:
2780:
2779:
2776:
2775:
2773:
2771:
2767:
2763:
2752:
2751:
2749:
2747:
2743:
2736:
2733:
2730:
2727:
2724:
2721:
2718:
2715:
2712:
2709:
2706:
2703:
2700:
2699:
2697:
2695:
2691:
2682:
2678:
2677:
2676:
2673:
2668:
2664:
2661:
2657:
2656:
2655:
2654:Pedi/N. Sotho
2652:
2647:
2643:
2640:
2636:
2633:
2629:
2628:
2627:
2624:
2623:
2621:
2619:
2615:
2606:
2602:
2599:
2595:
2594:
2593:
2590:
2585:
2581:
2578:
2574:
2571:
2567:
2564:
2560:
2559:
2558:
2555:
2553:
2550:
2548:
2545:
2543:
2540:
2538:
2535:
2533:
2530:
2528:
2525:
2523:
2520:
2518:
2515:
2513:
2510:
2509:
2507:
2505:
2501:
2498:
2496:
2492:
2488:
2481:
2476:
2474:
2469:
2467:
2462:
2461:
2458:
2446:
2443:
2441:
2438:
2436:
2433:
2431:
2428:
2426:
2423:
2421:
2418:
2416:
2413:
2411:
2408:
2406:
2403:
2401:
2398:
2396:
2393:
2391:
2388:
2386:
2383:
2381:
2378:
2376:
2373:
2371:
2368:
2366:
2363:
2361:
2358:
2356:
2353:
2352:
2349:
2345:
2338:
2333:
2331:
2326:
2324:
2319:
2318:
2315:
2304:
2297:
2294:
2289:
2282:
2279:
2274:
2268:
2265:
2260:
2253:
2250:
2238:
2237:Bona Magazine
2234:
2228:
2225:
2221:
2215:
2213:
2211:
2207:
2201:
2199:
2197:
2195:
2191:
2185:
2183:
2181:
2179:
2177:
2175:
2173:
2169:
2164:
2160:
2156:
2152:
2148:
2144:
2137:
2134:
2128:
2126:
2122:
2119:
2114:
2112:
2108:
2102:
2099:
2086:
2082:
2078:
2074:
2068:
2066:
2064:
2060:
2055:
2048:
2045:
2032:
2028:
2022:
2020:
2018:
2016:
2014:
2010:
2005:
2001:
1994:
1991:
1986:
1979:
1977:
1973:
1968:
1961:
1958:
1953:
1946:
1943:
1939:
1933:
1930:
1925:
1918:
1916:
1912:
1907:
1903:
1896:
1893:
1888:
1881:
1879:
1877:
1873:
1868:
1862:
1857:
1856:
1847:
1845:
1841:
1836:
1829:
1827:
1825:
1823:
1819:
1814:
1808:
1804:
1800:
1793:
1790:
1785:
1781:
1774:
1771:
1766:
1763:. Cambridge:
1762:
1755:
1752:
1747:
1743:
1736:
1734:
1730:
1724:
1721:
1716:
1709:
1707:
1705:
1703:
1699:
1695:
1691:
1687:
1684:L. Thompson,
1681:
1678:
1673:
1667:
1664:
1657:
1653:
1650:
1648:
1645:
1643:
1640:
1638:
1635:
1633:
1630:
1628:
1625:
1623:
1622:Tswana people
1620:
1618:
1615:
1613:
1610:
1609:
1605:
1601:
1597:
1594:
1591:
1588:
1585:
1582:
1579:
1576:
1574:
1573:Kaizer Chiefs
1570:
1567:
1565:
1564:Bafana Bafana
1561:
1560:Kaizer Chiefs
1557:
1554:
1552:
1551:Portsmouth FC
1548:
1544:
1540:
1539:Aaron Mokoena
1537:
1535:
1531:
1528:
1525:
1522:
1521:
1517:
1512:
1509:
1506:
1503:
1500:
1497:
1494:
1491:
1488:
1484:
1480:
1477:
1475:
1471:
1468:
1465:
1462:
1459:
1456:
1453:
1450:
1447:
1444:
1441:
1438:
1435:
1432:
1429:
1426:
1423:
1420:
1417:
1414:
1413:
1410:Entertainment
1409:
1404:
1401:
1399:
1395:
1392:
1389:
1386:
1384:
1383:Kaizer Chiefs
1380:
1377:
1375:
1371:
1368:
1367:
1363:
1359:
1355:
1352:
1349:
1346:
1343:
1339:
1336:
1333:
1329:
1326:
1324:
1320:
1317:
1314:
1311:
1308:
1305:
1302:
1299:
1296:
1295:Ntsu Mokhehle
1293:
1291:
1287:
1284:
1281:
1278:
1275:
1272:
1269:
1266:
1263:
1262:Moshoeshoe II
1260:
1257:
1254:
1253:
1248:
1241:
1236:
1235:Thomas Mofolo
1233:
1232:
1228:
1223:
1214:
1209:
1205:
1204:
1197:
1192:
1189:
1187:
1184:
1178:
1176:
1172:
1167:
1165:
1161:
1156:
1150:
1148:
1146:
1142:
1135:Basotho women
1134:
1132:
1130:
1126:
1122:
1118:
1110:
1108:
1106:
1102:
1094:
1092:
1090:
1089:
1084:
1083:Thomas Mofolo
1080:
1075:
1073:
1069:
1065:
1061:
1057:
1052:
1050:
1045:
1043:
1039:
1035:
1031:
1027:
1022:
1020:
1015:
1013:
1009:
1005:
1004:Caprivi Strip
1001:
997:
993:
989:
984:
982:
978:
974:
970:
966:
962:
958:
954:
949:
947:
942:
940:
936:
932:
924:
921:
917:
912:
905:
900:
897:
894:
891:
888:
885:
882:
879:
876:
873:
870:
867:
864:
861:
858:
855:
852:
849:
846:
843:
840:
837:
836:
835:
834:
826:
822:
820:
815:
807:
805:
803:
799:
793:
790:
786:
781:
779:
775:
770:
768:
764:
760:
753:
748:
741:
739:
736:
731:
726:
724:
720:
716:
712:
708:
704:
699:
697:
692:
690:
686:
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527:and parts of
526:
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497:
491:
487:
480:Early history
479:
474:
472:
469:
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463:
459:
458:KwaZulu-Natal
455:
451:
446:
444:
440:
436:
432:
427:
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425:Tswana people
422:
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324:
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278:
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269:
262:
261:Thembu people
258:
257:Phuthi people
254:
250:
246:
245:Tswana people
242:
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217:
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102:
89:
84:
80:
73:
68:
63:
57:
52:
47:
41:
32:
30:
19:
3155:Sotho people
3123:
2625:
2618:Sotho-Tswana
2414:
2370:Gana and Gwi
2355:Baka-Nswazwi
2302:
2296:
2287:
2281:
2267:
2258:
2252:
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2236:
2227:
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2085:the original
2080:
2076:
2053:
2047:
2035:. Retrieved
2030:
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1993:
1984:
1966:
1960:
1951:
1945:
1937:
1932:
1923:
1901:
1895:
1886:
1854:
1834:
1798:
1792:
1773:
1760:
1754:
1741:
1723:
1714:
1689:
1685:
1680:
1666:
1479:Tsepo Tshola
1464:Fana Mokoena
1398:African Bank
1332:Eastern Cape
1256:Moshoeshoe I
1203:Seana Marena
1201:
1179:
1174:
1168:
1163:
1157:
1154:
1144:
1138:
1114:
1098:
1087:
1078:
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1016:
985:
981:Eastern Cape
950:
943:
934:
930:
928:
919:
899:Bloemfontein
832:
831:
814:black people
811:
808:Demographics
794:
782:
771:
756:
742:20th century
727:
719:protectorate
709:to proclaim
700:
693:
687:sent by the
685:Missionaries
676:
665:
656:voortrekkers
648:
641:Moshoeshoe I
638:
619:
568:
547:19th century
493:
470:
462:Eastern Cape
447:
443:Moshoeshoe I
428:
405:
401:South Africa
352:
322:
320:
312:
301:
290:
279:
225:Christianity
101:South Africa
78:
62:Moshoeshoe I
38:Sotho people
34:Ethnic group
31:
29:
3031:Zimbabweans
2953:Cape Malays
2930:Zimbabweans
2900:Mozambicans
2803:Strandloper
2570:Gqunukhwebe
2242:29 November
1637:Lozi people
1632:Barotseland
1627:Pedi people
1556:Thabo Mooki
1543:Jomo Cosmos
1485:jazz band,
1452:Terry Pheto
1416:Nana Coyote
1388:David Tlale
1319:Limpho Hani
1290:Thabo Mbeki
1068:Fouriesburg
923:musical bow
802:overgrazing
735:voortrekker
696:orthography
680:voortrekker
672:Thaba Bosiu
668:Butha-Buthe
626:Cape Colony
595:Barotseland
413:colonialism
249:Lozi people
241:Pedi people
81:(2023 est.)
3149:Categories
3061:Pakistanis
2994:Gujaratis
2915:Portuguese
2905:Norwegians
2841:Cape Dutch
2828:Afrikaners
2517:Mpondomise
2365:Batalaunda
1658:References
1446:Mpho Koaho
1323:Chris Hani
1268:Letsie III
1229:Literature
1183:San people
1141:seshweshwe
1129:balaclavas
1117:Free State
977:Mpumalanga
965:Free State
711:Basutoland
634:Great Trek
533:North West
500:San people
468:province.
466:Free State
391:native to
253:San people
3046:Nigerians
2940:Coloureds
2848:Huguenots
2707:N'walungu
2037:5 January
2027:"Lesotho"
1569:Abia Nale
1499:David Kau
1483:Sankomota
1458:Sankomota
1125:Herd boys
1101:mokorotlo
1072:Ficksburg
1030:Lesedi FM
1026:apartheid
1019:preschool
869:Katlehong
789:homelands
785:apartheid
752:modianywe
387:), are a
213:Afrikaans
191:Languages
126:2,130,110
106:5,103,205
79:7,254,315
3119:Ndwandwe
3051:Japanese
2895:Lebanese
2876:Italians
2856:Angolans
2793:Khoekhoe
2719:Hlanganu
2667:Mabelane
2660:Balobedu
2646:Batlokwa
2547:Ndwandwe
2400:Mbanderu
2395:Mangwato
1784:Archived
1606:See also
1364:Business
1334:province
1242:Politics
1164:thethana
1121:gumboots
1095:Clothing
1085:'s epic
1002:and the
1000:Eswatini
996:Botswana
931:Sesotho,
906:Language
713:(modern
645:Difaqane
611:Botswana
607:Zimbabwe
579:highveld
512:Batswana
433:and the
298:Language
219:Religion
201:IsiXhosa
161:Eswatini
141:Botswana
3056:Koreans
3041:Somalis
3036:Chinese
2973:Indians
2963:Oorlams
2958:Griquas
2861:Germans
2823:British
2701:Hlengwe
2639:Bataung
2632:Bakoena
2605:Khumalo
2563:Gcaleka
2532:Ndebele
2425:Talaote
2380:Kalanga
2163:1333262
1906:Redmond
1803:851–852
1746:Redmond
1374:Naspers
1060:Sesotho
1056:Lesotho
1008:Namibia
969:Gauteng
946:Lesotho
901:: 33.4%
895:: 64.2%
889:: 27.9%
883:: 10.8%
877:: 46.7%
871:: 22.4%
865:: 10.0%
859:: 15.5%
847:: 12.3%
839:Gauteng
715:Lesotho
650:Mfecane
615:Namibia
591:Zambezi
529:Gauteng
508:500 CE.
475:History
454:Gauteng
431:British
409:Mfecane
397:Lesotho
353:Basotho
309:Country
209:English
205:IsiZulu
197:Sesotho
181:Namibia
121:Lesotho
46:Basotho
3134:Tsonga
3019:Others
3011:Koknis
3005:Surtis
2999:Memons
2981:Tamils
2866:Greeks
2815:Whites
2737:Thonga
2734:Ndzawu
2728:Dzonga
2722:Nhlave
2716:Rhonga
2710:Gwamba
2694:Tsonga
2681:Balete
2675:Tswana
2584:Xesibe
2552:Thembu
2435:Tswana
2430:Tlôkwa
2420:Subiya
2375:Herero
2161:
2091:1 July
1863:
1809:
1549:, and
1518:Sports
1489:artist
1487:gospel
1169:For a
1158:For a
1064:QwaQwa
1038:SABC 2
992:Zambia
988:Silozi
857:Soweto
853:: 9.6%
798:Modimo
723:Maseru
613:, and
603:Angola
599:Zambia
583:Kololo
537:kraals
287:People
276:Person
229:Modimo
178:
158:
146:11,000
138:
118:
98:
3160:Sotho
3129:Swazi
3124:Sotho
3026:Lemba
2988:Hindi
2925:Turks
2920:Serbs
2910:Poles
2871:Irish
2834:Boers
2783:ǃKung
2753:Ngona
2746:Venda
2713:Tswha
2598:Fingo
2577:Gaika
2557:Xhosa
2542:Swazi
2537:Pondo
2527:Hlubi
2522:Fengu
2512:Bhaca
2504:Nguni
2415:Sotho
2385:ǃKung
2159:S2CID
1474:Tkzee
1175:tshea
1088:Chaka
920:thomo
622:Boers
593:into
575:Shaka
520:Nguni
516:Nguni
504:Bantu
435:Boers
323:Sotho
315:sotho
304:sotho
293:sotho
282:sotho
271:Sotho
186:4,000
166:6,000
60:King
3066:Roma
2991:Urdu
2881:Jews
2798:Nama
2787:ǀXam
2768:and
2766:Khoi
2731:Copi
2725:Bila
2704:Xika
2592:Zulu
2445:Yeyi
2405:Nama
2390:Lozi
2244:2022
2093:2010
2039:2010
1861:ISBN
1807:ISBN
1562:and
1428:Lira
1145:wrap
1079:Bona
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571:Zulu
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321:The
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