22 Mar 2020

Everyday the COVID-19 pandemic seems to reach a new and catastrophic milestone causing anxiety and panic. For 65 year-old Mr Vincent Motlhaleng of Gamodubu lands near Molepolole is not ready for the harm and loss that the dreaded virus brings to thousands of people globally.

“Nna ke nna hela ka ntlo ga ke batle go tswela gope, kana gatwe bolwetsi joo bo lebelo le le maswe e bile bo tsamaa hela ha Molepolole ha!”, with an angry rasp to his voice as he painfully explained he said in an interview how he has not managed to take proper care of his small stock since news broke that the coronavirus was ravaging millions of people worldwide.

Motlhaleng’s greatest worry is that Botswana had a small population and that made it vulnerable to pandemics such as COVID-19. 

However he was hopeful that just like any other severe situation, things could be turned around to return to normal.

The old man was unhappy that he missed a funeral service earlier on Saturday morning owing to the recently introduced public gathering restrictions. 

The Molepolole-born small stock farmer said he was also sad that certain traditions had been broken in order to adhere to safety measures.

Ms Matshidiso Letlamma of Gakuto lands in Kweneng said the coronavirus was a sad reality. She said the AIDS pandemic raised similar alarm in the early 80s. 

“Kana selo ha se sena kalahi ga gona thuso,” she said dejectedly, expressing worry that the virus had no cure. 

She applauded safety measures laid down to fight against the spread of the virus, but said it was still not enough especially for rural communities. 

She said the provision of water and access to sanitizers was still a challenge. 

At Tshiping lands near Molepolole 25 year-old Ms Keletso Bokhowa said she had learnt that older people were hardest hit and young people were not sparred either. 

Data from many countries indicate that people over 50 years make a significant proportion of patients requiring hospitalisation. 

She pleaded with government to provide necessary public education about the scourge and also provide potable water and sanitation to the rural communities. 

The world has stepped up efforts against the pandemic by among other things closing schools and imposing strict border controls. 

People had been advised to regularly and thoroughly clean their hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub. 

Washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on the hands.

China has reported no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases for the first time since the pandemic began, marking a major turning point in the global battle to contain COVID-19.

As at Saturday afternoon there were over 280 000 reported cases of Coronavirus and over 11 000 deaths worldwide. 

Close to 94 000 had recovered. ends