10 Jan 2024

With a new year comes new hopes and resolutions.

During this time of the year, everyone hopes for a better life because the year has just began and who knows, it just might be a good one.

A random interview with BOPA on Monday, shares what ordinary Batswana in Serowe hope for in the new year.

One Mr Jotham Maseko of Marulamantsi Ward hopes to effect some developments at his cattlepost which he could not carry out last year owing to financial hardships.

Mr Maseko, who owns land at Serokolwane, also desires to plough mushrooms and herbs which could only be possible provided he has drilled a borehole and that he said was part of his plan for 2024.

He said mushrooms and herbs were marketable and could earn him a living.

Ms Bakang Keitirele of Ramogate Ward said she experienced a major setback last year when she lost 13 goats that were hit by a train at Lechana lands.

Ms Keitirele said she was still to recover from the incident while at the same trying to grow her stock.

Ms Keitirele said she also earned a living selling Tswana chickens and hoped to add other breeds.

A Form Five pupil at Lotsane Senior Secondary School in Palapye, Oreeditse Bethea, aspires to get good grades at the Botswana General Certificate in Secondary Education (BGCSE) end of this year. 

This she hopes to achieve by joining study groups, going for extra lessons and having a well thought of study timetable.

Like everyone who starts small and expands with time, street vendor, Ms Refakae Obateng of Botalaote Ward in Serowe, who ekes out a living selling bread wants to broaden her horizons and include other fast selling food items to her small business. 

Ms Obateng lists old age pensioners who usually spend time queuing at the post office for their dues during pay day, among her clientele hence would take them into consideration when deciding on things to add.

Mr Onkageletse Barupi of Advanced Driving School wishes to buy more cars and hire more instructors for his driving school. This, he said, was because many of his clients were either working or schooling at colleges and could only squeeze in driving sessions during lunch time. 

He stated that having more cars and instructors would reduce queuing that got some late to work or school.

Mr Barupi, who operates next to Department of Information Services offices, desires to have a fully-fledged driving school with enough employ to assist clients with booking theory tests and revisions during his absence.

At Mokwena Ward, a resident, Mr Kagiso Lekang wishes to get married this year, a plan he aborted last year after encountering financial problems.

Mr Lekang said he survived on temporary jobs at mines and cross border truck driving. He said sometimes it took time for him to get paid adding that he had been in and out of court with a former employer who owed him P10 000.

“I was paid in piecemeal and could not do anything worthwhile with the money and now there is an outstanding P10 000 debt which I have no guarantee I will get,” said Mr Lekang and added that he was committed to save every thebe he got this year to fulfill his marriage wish.

Meanwhile, Mr Boitumelo Kedikilwe whom BOPA bumped into holding some documents he said he was to submit at Independent Electoral Commission to try his luck in the upcoming general elctions for a council seat at Kgosing Ward. 

The Maaloso born man said he would be competing as an independent candidate and wished to launch his campaign as soon as campaigns were open.

Mr Tshepo Letshwene of Rakgomo Ward who runs a mobile kitchen next to Woolworths store said he wanted to open another in Palapye this year because business was doing well.

Mr Letshwene who sells fat cakes, chips and a variety of dishes for lunch said he wanted to add tea to the menu and introduce lunch deliveries to offices nearby, for convenience.

In Chichana Ward, Ms Olathile Atholang, a street vendor, wishes to provide shelter for herself and her children. 

She said she was currently living at her parents’ house and would like to move to her home with her children soon. Ends