The Kingdom of Makgoba was a small but significant polity that emerged in what is now Limpopo, particularly in the Magoebaskloof region in South Africa. The Kingdom was named after Chief Makgoba, who led his people in resistance against colonial forces and Boer expansion in the late 19th century.
The Makgoba people were originally part of the Northern Sotho (Bapedi) group. However, at some point in the 18th century or early 19th century, they broke away and formed their own independent polity-(Bakgalaka)Lobedu. After breaking away, the Makgoba people settled in Makgoebaskloof area, a mountainous region ideal for defense. This provides them with natural stronghold against external threats.
By the early to mid-19th century, the Makgoba kingdom had grown into a small but strong independent entity. The people thrived through Agriculture-benefiting from the fertile valley and Trade with neighbouring kingdoms. Estimates suggest that at its peak, the kingdom likely had a population of between 5,000 and 10,000 people.
The independence of the Makgoba Kingdom came under threat in the late 19th century when the Boers sought control over the region. The Boers desired the fertile lands and strategic location of Magoebaskloof.
The Boers eventually took control of the territory, the Makgoba people were displaced from their lands and many of the survivors were forced to work as laborers on Boers farms.
In recent times, the descendants of the Makgoba people have fought legal battlers for the return of their ancestral lands.
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