[1] Motswasele faced attacks from the Ngwaketse shortly after he became kgosi, prompting him to form an alliance with the Kgafela-Kgatl.
The Kwena people were not familiar with European craftsmanship, so Motswasele's possession of the items caused him to be seen as Modimowage (transl.
[1] Throughout his rule, he seized the crops, cattle, and wives of his subjects, and he made frequent use of capital punishment.
As he left the meeting in Shokwane c. 1821[a] where he was set to be assassinated, he was followed and killed by a man wielding an axe.
[2] Following Motswasele's death, the Kwena tribe underwent a schism as both Moruakgomo and Segokotlo ruled their own factions.