September 30th is Botswana’s Independence Day and
we celebrated by going to the Kgotla in the morning. As previously discussed
the Kgotla is a traditional meeting place in villages that is presided over by
a Kgosi who is the leader. Issues or any concerns may be brought before the
Kgosi and the whole community at the Kgotla. I am sure that my understanding of
Kgotla’s will increase with my time in Botswana. At the Independence
celebration there were a variety of speeches given, dances performed, and poems
recited. While sitting in the Kgotla I felt extremely privileged to be a part
of this moment. I have never pictured myself sitting in a Kgotla on Botswana’s
Independence day, I only recently learned what a Kgotla was however it was an
aweinspiring moment.
MmeMalebogo is the oldest daughter to my host mother and a
phenomenal person. She has been in town for the holiday weekend and has
enlightened me on a variety of topics related to Botswana as well as enriched
my days with conversations of US politics. MmeMalebogo, means mother of
Malebogo, which is her oldest child. It is common for both the mother and the
father to be called by their eldest child’s name with either mother or father
in front of it. MmeMalebogo is an extremely loving, patient, and kind mother,
not only did I learn more of the history of Botswana but also a thing or two
about patience. Also family dynamics are always fun to watch, no one can call
you out on your ridiculousness the same way a family member can.
I like to
maintain a hobbit life style here since usually after I eat breakfast my host
mother likes to bring me second breakfast. As I was on my way out the door one
day this week my host mother brings me a legwinya (the singular version of
Magwinya or fat cake) that she heated in the microwave. Now this was no 10
second warm up but instead a five minute cooking, thus turning the legwinya
into a hard-tack situation. I was trying as delicately as I could to soften the
bread in my coffee and discreetly gnaw on it, however I was foiled by
MmeMalebogo who saw this happen and called out her mother for misuse of the
microwave. Her mother then proceeded to defend herself with the logic that she
grew up at the cattle post where there were no microwaves and all they ate/drank
was milk (the old “uphill both ways” story). These efforts were unsuccessful
with the simple math that the eleven years at the cattle post did not compare
with the other 62 years spent elsewhere. The whole scenario ended with her
quietly giggling to herself and all of us laughing quite heartily, like I said
no one can call you out like a family member can.
One day this week I thought I would mix up my morning run
and deviate from the tarred road, according to my host mother there are only
three tarred roads in Serowe. As a result I took a series of impulse turns,
wound up atop a hill and was greeted by the glorious sight of Serowe tucked in
between plateaus and hills with the sun beginning to kiss the sky. Naturally in
awe I begin to sing to myself, “Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like
this.” I am shameless in my cheesy reactions to things that make me happy and
that view made me smile all day.
Pre-Service Training is coming to an end and its bitter
sweet. I will not miss sitting in a room with 60 personalities for 9 hours
listening to power points but I will really miss some of those people. I will
also miss my host mother. I know the feeling is mutual since she said she will
throw stones at the person who comes to pick me up and not allow them to take
me. Although I cannot picture her beating up someone I can picture her trying
to get into the car as well, so we shall see what happens. It will be nice to
return to the autonomy I am used to, however, my host mom is an amazing woman
and I am extremely grateful for the time we spent together. Her and her family
have welcomed me with open arms and make me feel at home in Botswana. No matter
where I am I know that I have a home in Serowe.
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