Moshupa, Botswana – Once considered politically invincible within his own tribe, former President Mokgweetsi Masisi is now facing a groundswell of opposition stemming from a contentious hotel project. The source of the escalating conflict is Masisi’s “Bo-Kaap”-styled hotel, a development that has ignited a fierce controversy and accusations of land grabbing and disrespect for local heritage.
Residents of the Goo-Mashadi ward in Moshupa have formally lodged complaints with the Moshupa Sub Land Board, alleging that Masisi’s expanding hotel enterprise is encroaching upon an ancestral burial ground and their private properties. These actions, they claim, represent a blatant disregard for their community’s history and cultural sensitivities.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Masisi acquired two adjacent plots of land from the Stegling family, a well-established Afrikaaner family with deep roots in the region. Construction commenced shortly after Good Friday in 2024, marking the beginning of what would become a major point of contention.
Corporate records from CIPA (Companies and Intellectual Property Authority) identify Masisi as the sole shareholder of the hotel, which he named “The Stegling’s Hotel” as a gesture of respect to the family from whom he acquired the land. The hotel’s design incorporates the distinctive, vibrant colors characteristic of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa, a cultural homage that some residents view as misplaced and insensitive given the circumstances.
However, it is the hotel’s rapid expansion, now estimated to cover an area of 4000 square meters, that has truly fueled the outrage among neighboring residents. In some cases, the hotel’s expanding boundaries have completely engulfed properties, leaving only the entrance gates of homes visible. This aggressive expansion has triggered direct confrontations, including a tense meeting on Monday between Masisi and a delegation of five concerned residents, mediated by the Moshupa Sub-Landboard Adjudication Committee.
Sources close to the dispute reveal that tensions first arose during an on-site meeting held on February 15th, followed by a series of heated exchanges between residents and local land authorities. The primary grievance centers around Masisi’s construction activities, which residents say have effectively blocked traditional thoroughfares that have been used by the community for generations. These routes are not merely paths, but vital connections to resources and communal spaces that have sustained the community for decades.
Adding to the residents’ discontent is the allegation that Masisi failed to adequately consult with them regarding the hotel’s expansion, despite earlier promises to do so when the hotel’s boundaries began encroaching on their properties. This lack of communication has been interpreted as a sign of disrespect and disregard for their rights as property owners and members of the community. One neighbor, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed their frustration: “They have built this wall that you see behind my plot. I then went there and engaged the construction workers who in turn called their site foreman. The foreman called Masisi who promised to come and engage but he has never shown face.” This sentiment reflects a broader feeling of being ignored and marginalized by the former president.
The expansion has also reportedly encroached upon an ancient burial ground and rocky outcrops located near the Magalatladi riverine, an area of significant cultural and historical importance to the Moshupa community. “Had he shown the civility to consult us, we would have kindly advised him that this area that he wishes to take is an olden cemetery which our parents found here,” a source lamented, highlighting the deep-seated connection between the community and the land.
Residents further allege that human remains have been unearthed in the area during previous service projects, underscoring its cultural significance as a burial site and the location from which initiation scholars were historically dispatched. They also claim to possess video evidence purportedly showing Kanye Main Landboard officials demarcating boundary extensions after hours, raising questions about transparency and potential irregularities in the land acquisition process. The combination of these factors has created a potent mix of anger and resentment towards Masisi’s hotel project, transforming it into a symbol of perceived injustice and disregard for local traditions.
