14 Jan 2025

The recent heavy rains in the southern parts of Botswana have led to the collapse of the Fikeng Bridge, which serves as a vital connection between Bikwe and Manyana villages.

The bridge's failure, which poses significant travel risks and has greatly increased the distance residents must travel between the settlements, serves as a reminder of the infrastructure challenges faced by rural communities, underscoring the need for urgent attention to improve safety on local roads.

Due to the bridge's collapse, villagers have been forced to take a detour of approximately 20 kilometres to reach Manyana, a trip that normally covers just seven kilometres.

This unexpected change has heightened concerns for residents, especially with the school term having resumed yesterday, as pedestrians, including pupils, use the narrow side of the bridge that has been left intact when the rest of the bridge collapsed.

"We are thankful for the rain has stopped as schools reopen, because further flooding would prevent students from attending lessons," said Kgosi Nkosiyabo Mnqibisa of Bikwe said in an interview, pointing out that not only is the bridge compromised, but the roads leading to the intersection become treacherous and slippery during the rainy season.

Mr Mnqibisa lamented the prolonged poor condition of the roads, stating, "The road was rumoured to be under a developmental plan, but I am sceptical, as it has remained in this dilapidated state for so long."

During the rainy season, villagers often resort to longer routes, incurring additional expenses.

However, Mr Mnqibisa remains optimistic, noting that the recent rains have benefited local farmers by providing water and forage for cattle, which had been suffering from previous droughts.

Reflecting on the village's reliance on nearby settlements for essential services, Mr Mnqibisa mentioned that Bikwe largely depended on outside sources for medical services and schooling.

Currently, the village has a mobile clinic and uses a church building to accommodate some school classes.

He expressed gratitude for the assistance received from the social welfare office, particularly during times of need, to support families impacted by natural disasters such as the recent floods.

Despite the challenges posed by the rains, Mr Mnqibisa noted the welcome opportunity for local farmers to resume ploughing of fields.

He advised caution, urging community members to avoid working in flooded fields but to, allow time for the water to drain.

Additionally, he highlighted a persistent thorny issue tormenting his village: a significant shortage of tractors, which hindered residents from benefiting from national agriculture programmes such as free seed distribution. ENDS