Attending funerals, weddings and other family gatherings can be tiresome because there’s always at least that one person you get to meet for the first time. That by the way you have never heard of before, but now you find out that you are related.
It sometimes happens even in unplanned scenarios like at the mall, on the road or even while watching TV or reading the paper. At some point I got tired of being introduced to new family members, it really seemed like I was related to almost everyone.
You see I am proudly Xhosa born of a Sotho woman hence the name Lerato (love). Through research I have learned that historically before my people landed in South Africa, they are originally from West Africa from a group called Igbo.
Now I try to imagine those that decided to remain there and I can’t help wondering just how many relatives I have in the West – Eastern parts of Africa and the rest of the world. Can you imagine those who I never got to know about?
What’s interesting is the mixed marriages in my family that have been popular for generations now. I know my grandparents were products of mixed marriages and so was my mother and I (Oh and my children too lol). We have almost every tribe represented in my family. We have the ba Sotho, ba Tswana, ama Xhosa, Zulu, vha Venda, and coloureds those are the ones I know of by the way. All these families are related to me Gxavu, Letsoso, Mothibe, Msengana, Thapiyane/Thugwane, Mathee, Dirks, etc…
Now what makes it even more interesting is the polygamous background that has not left much to be desired and so I know I still have aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews I have never met. For instance my maternal grandfather had two wives and a mistress we know whom all three have children for him. They got married and also had children who are now my cousins, okay I think you get the hang of it now so don’t be surprised; I might just be related to you too.
