12 Sep 2022

Having attained the age of 65, Mr Steven Ketlhokile, a former soldier describes his life as nothing he could have imagined 20 years ago.

This is in contrast to the year 1977 when he joined the Botswana Defence Force as a mechanic and took an oath to protect the territorial integrity and bear true faith and allegiance to the nation of Botswana.

Still looking strong it is easy to see the soldier in his physic, tall build that will make many of his peers green with envy.

His cool demenour makes a conversation with him pure delight. Calm, sweet and well-spoken there he was talking to BOPA about his domestic animals.

He now rears chickens in his home which he sells to people to irk a living.

 Mr Ketlhokile is still fascinated by how he still keeps learning about his birds on a daily basis.

He told BOPA he draws a lot from the many lessons he learned many years ago as a young boy growing up in Nswazi village tending family livestock.

Upon entering his home, one is met by the clucking and crowing sounds of chickens that are either picking on the feed from feeders strewn around the yard or from the chicken coop. At his place of abode where lives with his wife, he keeps different types of chickens such as the Light Sussex, Red Ireland, and Posh Cork.

Ducks which he says are amongst the most faithful birds can also be seen walking around the yard in pairs.

He says that male and female ducks are known for sticking together from the beginning of laying eggs until the end.

 Having started his business last year, Mr Ketlhokile has a total of 100 birds and asserts he is doing extremely well.

“I keep about ten of different breeds of chicken as breeding stock and surplus,” he added. Chickens are not the only thing he keeps as he also has a substantial number of goats, sheep, and cattle.

Unfortunately, stock theft around his area has led to him losing over a hundred of his livestock.

Ketlhokile divulged further that he has no intention of planting crops as they are more prone to pests and diseases.  He hopes to have developed his new land soon where he will move all his animals. ENDS