About the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN)

The RBN is a traditionally governed Setswana-speaking community of approximately 128 000 people residing across 29 villages in five regions. The RBN owns 1 200 km2 of land in the Rustenburg valley of the North West Province of South Africa, below which lies part of the world’s largest platinum reserves. The North West administrative capital, Phokeng, is located around 150km from the major hub of Johannesburg. The RBN strives to be socially, economically and environmentally sustainable, and remains true to its African heritage and traditions.

“ An innovative and relevant traditional community, driving social progress in an ever-changing world.”
Community [photo]
Phokeng civic centre [photo]


Map [map]

Twice a year, the entire community gathers during Kgotha-Kgothe, the highest decision-making body. This assembly fosters open communication between the community and its leaders, allowing active participation in decision-making processes. The Supreme Council, the second-highest governing body after Kgotha-Kgothe, is responsible for policy development and oversight.

All RBN resources are held in a trust on behalf of the Nation as a whole and its investments are managed through a wholly owned investment company, the Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH), possibly the most successful community-owned investment company in the world. This means that no individual has decision-making power in how the RBN collective resources are used as all the institutional, legal and auditing requirements for trusts and corporate management are followed. Over its 18-year history, the RBH has consistently delivered dividends that meet or exceed shareholder (the Royal Bafokeng National Development Trust (RBNDT)) expectations. This enables the RBNDT, working together with other RBN implementing entities, to address the essential socio-economic needs of Morafe by supporting critical needs and services such as infrastructure, education and healthcare in the attainment of the targets and aspirations of the RBN Plan 35. Plan 35 is a developmental roadmap and strategic framework which guides the implementation of the RBN vision. The RBNDT, established in 2004, oversees the Nation’s commercial and socio-economic interests.


To implement the RBN’s vision, various governance structures and distinct entities have been established, including the Royal Bafokeng Administration (RBA), which executes the community-based infrastructure and social services development programmes. There are two departments tasked with these roles, the RBA-INFRACO and the RBA-Health and Social Development Services (RBA-HSDS).

The RBA-INFRACO focuses on the maintenance of infrastructure, agricultural land improvement and environmental management.

The RBA-HSDS’ key functions are:

  • Primary health care – ensure access to primary healthcare services through clinics and mobile clinics
  • Disease awareness and management – actively promote awareness for conditions like diabetes and provide management support for HIV/AIDS (e.g. Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ARV) support)
  • Social services and safety – focus on child protection, fighting gender-based violence (GBV), supporting the elderly and assisting people with disabilities
  • Community development – implement programmes for youth development, marriage enrichment workshops and psycho-social support
  • Preventative health – promote healthy lifestyles including nutrition, physical activity and substance abuse prevention

The other RBN structures and implementing entities include the Royal Bafokeng Enterprise Development (RBED), Moumo, Cross Point Trading (CPT), the Royal Futures Group (RFG), the Royal Bafokeng Institute (RBI) and the Royal Bafokeng Sport (RBS).

The RBN has a financial asset value of US$4 billion which includes a majority shareholding in on- and off-shore investments in the financial services, telecoms, property, infrastructure and transport sectors. The RBN previously held a majority stake in a platinum mining and refining company, Royal Bafokeng Platinum which it disposed of in November 2021.

Royal Bafokeng Nation Development Trust [chart]