Rakgadi is a word that’s been at the tip of everyone’s tongue since footage of the shocking brawl that took place at Lebogang Khitsane’s memorial service went viral.
What does ‘rakgadi’ mean?
The word is derived from SeSotho, one of South Africa’s 11 official languages. In general terms, it’s means ‘paternal aunt’, or the father’s sister.
Lebogang Khitsane’s memorial service trends for all the wrong reasons
Rakgadi is trending because Khitsane’s sister Semati Moedi pulled the wool over South Africa’s faces when she went off-script at the tombstone innovator’s memorial service.
You see, Khitsane had built a reputation for himself as the Steve Jobs of tombstones.
His company Bataung Memorial Tombstones is famous for its ‘larger than life’ granite marble works, the most renowned being the living room creation that was made for comedian legend Joe ‘Sdumo’ Mafela‘s resting place.
The memorial service that took place this past weekend was meant to commemorate Khitsane’s innovations, his enterprising spirit and all the contributions he’s made in the tombstone business.
And, things were all going according to plan, that is, until it was Moedi’s turn to speak on her brother’s life. What Mzansi was not expecting, was an invitation into the personal drama and marital conflict Khitsane was meddle in.
The rakgadi went into a tirade and lashed out at the businessman’s wife for allegedly “bringing a man into [Khitsane’s] home.”
Water bottles were thrown at her and before she could say anymore, representatives of the family quickly rushed onto the stage to silence her.
Watch the video below, courtesy of eNCA.
Social media divided on ‘rakgadi’: Were her actions justified?
The video landed on social media and spread faster than wildfire. Everyone had an opinion about the events that unfolded at Khitsane’s memorial.
Some championed Moedi, others felt she was insensitive and way out of line. Here are some of the reactions we picked out from social media:
Rakgadi is going to be inducted at the Man’s Conference Hall of Fame 2021 for her Life Long dedication and commitment to the eradication yaboFebe and Buxoki Her work will forever be appreciated by all Man✊ ✊ ✊
— JeqeKaShaka (@JeqeKashaka) August 31, 2020
Hit a Like if you agree Gentleman pic.twitter.com/vnOMrv5FvN
Imagine backstabbers pretending to be mourning me at my funeral with their fake ass crocodile tears. Nah we need more people like Rakgadi at our funerals
— Tumelo Warona (@DjNewAfrica) August 31, 2020
Rakgadi taught me that we as blacks we don’t like to hear the truth, The saddest part is that she’s going to be banned from visiting her brothers house and seeing her brother’s children and paint her as a witch. pic.twitter.com/v0kLelT2Cq
— VHADAU VHA ḒAMANI (@henniemudau) August 31, 2020
Rakgadi Semati Moedi. First woman in 1930 to hang her sister in law’s dirty laundry in public. pic.twitter.com/vyYfHGvAFK
— Tebatso (@TebatsoMashiane) August 31, 2020
To avoid a ‘RAKGADI’ situation, we should start holding auditions to be speakers at the funeral. pic.twitter.com/w8hn1sfZIv
— Lesego Madikwe (@Kenna_Lesego) August 31, 2020
Rakgadi said what she said bazalwane ♀️ ♀️ pic.twitter.com/rULoO0ZzEA
— ☆♥Cakes101♥️☆ (@MissCakes2k) August 31, 2020