Maunatlala, Botswana

Maunatlala is a settlement located in the Central District, categorized as tertiary settlement III by the National Settlement Policy. The village is located about 88 km East of Palapye and had a population of 4951 people as per the 2011 population census. Maunatlala is located within a tribal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ngwato Land Board through Maunatlala Subordinate Land Board. The village measures about 1302Ha in area. The village is the site of the Lotsane Dam. Maunatlala enjoys a strategic location with easy access and connectivity to South Africa, as it is located only about 30 KM from the boarder.
According to Maunatlala village elders, the Babirwa baga Maunatlala originate from South Africa near Blaauberg Hills, they migrated from South Africa under the leadership of Kgosi Mophato-a-Phukula. The very first time they came to Botswana they settled at Serokolwane Hills near Serowe. Due to wars between Bangwato and Mashona tribe, Babirwa baga Maunatlala were forced to relocate to Lepokole. While in Lepokole, Kgosi Sekgoma of Bangwato, father to Khama the III sent a delegation from his tribe to caution Kgosi Phukula that there is a certain Ndebele tribe led by King Mzilikazi who were on their way to the North and they were attacking any tribe that they came across, seizing livestock in the process. Lepokole was situated on the Mzilikazi route, it was crucial for Kgosi Mophato and tribe to relocate to Shoshong and Join Bangwato.
Baga Maunatlala stayed at Shoshong until the death of Kgosi Mophato, then relocated back to South Africa and settled at Ganana in 1876. Despite the fact that they had relocated to South Africa, they kept strong ties with Bangwato. In 1895 after the three Chiefs successfully securing protection against the Boers, Kgosi Khama sent a delegation to Kgosi Mapena who was leading the tribe at the time to inform him that a protectorate boundary has been set and he is outside the boundary. He was advised to cross into Botswana. Upon returning back to Botswana, they settled near a river called Kopung. The river was a source of drinking water for the tribe. They ended up naming the area Kopung.