18 Aug 2020

While many may find the ‘new normal’ resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic strange and difficult, 61-year-old Punu Mbisha of Rakhuna, uses these odd and difficult circumstance as an opportunity to spend quality time with family and get to know them better.

For her, the lockdowns have served as an opportunity to better her relationship with her children, who work in the city, and her grandchildren.

“Two of my children live in Gaborone and we rarely have time for each other, the only time we meet is during the holidays, but usually the time is limited,” she revealed, adding that the lockdown had brought them closer.

She said sometimes the grandchildren fight for who should bath first and she intervenes and explains the importance of self-respect and respecting the next person and how it shapes one’s character.

Ms Mbisha also said  the pandemic had helped her learn  how to communicate better with the young children, adding that she has also realised that most of them do not like eating traditional food.

She said to entertain themselves and not to focus much on the pandemic, they gathered around the fireplace in the evening, to share folktales and teach each other about the coronavirus.

“We follow COVID-19 regulations. we are few in the country and have to look out for each other,” she said.

Despite having lost six of her goats due to a mysterious disease during the lockdown, Ms Mbisha said she appreciated having quality time with the children and ensuring that they washed their hands regularly.

She said they were also always on the lookout for border jumpers adding that she would not hesitate to report to the police if she noticed and anything suspicious. ENDS