Born in Kimberley, Thebeetsile Kgosi Ikalafeng (b. 15 July 1966) is the eldest son of Mirriam Finger, nee Ikalafeng, a career nurse, the daughter of Frans Mediole Ikalafeng and Regina Dikalabua Ikalafeng, nee Jabari. Mediole (1914 – 1996) of Bakwena heritage, was born and raised in Molepolole, Botswana, and emigrated to South Africa in 1933. Dikalabua (1919 – 1992) of Batlhaping heritage, was born and raised in Taung, North West, South Africa. The first grandchild of Mediole and Dikalabua, he was named Thebeetsile, which in Setswana means, the shield (Thebe) has arrived (-etsile), anointing him as the one to protect and elevate the Ikalafeng name for future generations. While his mother had wished his name would be Kgosi, bu this grandmother, prevailed with Thebeetsile. He has two sisters, Dr. Keromamang Bridget Ikalafeng (b. 18 May 1971) and Galebotse Regina Finger (b. 30 November 1977) and a brother, Montshiwa Kgosiemang Herbert Finger (b. 3 January 1974).
Heritage
He derives his totem Kwena (Crocodile) from his maternal grandfather’s heritage. The Crocodile animal totem is the most influential of all animal totems. The Crocodile is known as the primal mother and the keeper and protector of knowledge.
He derives his totem Kwena (Crocodile) from his maternal grandfather’s heritage. The Crocodile animal totem is the most influential of all animal totems. The Crocodile is known as the primal mother and the keeper and protector of knowledge. They have great wisdom from having survived two-hundred million years on the Earth. They can live to be seventy to one-hundred years old. This totem symbolizes the opportunity for knowledge and wisdom, and represents birth and re¬birth. Crocodiles are a resilient creature able to survive in both land and water. While their brain size is that of a walnut, it defies their great intelligence, intuition, instincts and creativity.
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