in 1826 mzilikazi invaded tswana land west of the apies river with a large invasion force. at only 16 years of age mogale advised semetsu to ally with neighbouring tribes of bakwena origin like the bafokeng and bakwena ba mogopa. together this allied bakwena force met mzilikazi's force at what is today called "silkaatsnek" (also referred to as "kutata" and "mpame"). semetsu fled the battle and was later killed at trantsekwane.