Mining the Future

Mining the future is about a resilient people and their visionary leadership -- a remarkable story of how Bafokeng people acquired and held onto their land and heritage through 150 years of political upheaval in South Africa. It also tells the story of what the Royal Bafokeng Nation is doing with the platinum wealth it currently enjoys, including serving as the only rural community ever to host world cup soccer in the history of FIFA. This illustrated volume features the vivid voices of members of the Bafokeng community, both past and present, as well as those who played a major role in shaping Bafokeng society, including Paul Kruger, Hans Merensky, and Christoph Penzhorn from the German Hermannsburg Lutheran Mission. The history and lineage of the 40 recorded Bafokeng dikgosi (kings) is presented, leading up to the present day leader of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi. Culture, economic development, environmental management, and generational change are some of the themes addressed in the title, which is written for a general audience.