04 Feb 2014

Do not be startled one of these days when you scroll through the television channels and come across a snippet of a Tlokweng boy on BBC news channel, riding a donkey cart as he leads the Queen’s baton entourage into Tlokweng.

Of course, the BBC cameraman was there, as he tilted his camera around the donkey cart that carried the sports heroes who clutched the baton. The cart resonated well with Botswana displaying its culture to the world in welcoming the baton, which symbolised the spirit of togetherness in the Commonwealth nations.

The cart was painted in blue, black and white and somebody conversant with Botswana’s flag will instantly ascertain that this is a local wagon. The donkey cart captain was none other than Phomolo Seabelo, a Tlokweng born young man who was thrilled by the whole experience of chaperoning a respected delegation of sports heroes.

He is just the guy from next door flaunting a coy smile which he conceals with a grey cap, simply dressed in camouflage pants and a grey top.

If we had powers to go against nature and be able to read people’s minds I bet we would catch a glimpse of Seabelo thoughts celebrating the honour of marshaling the likes of Nigel Amos, Kabelo Kgosiemang, Naomi Ruele,  Khumiso Ikgopoleng and Isaac Makwala.

And rightfully so, no one could blame him, for this is a lifetime opportunity and rare to rub shoulders with Amos, let alone the honour to cart the Queen’s Baton. Seabelo has been a friend with his donkeys from a tender age of eight years under the patronage of his elder brothers.

Unlike other donkeys that feel uncomfortable facing crowds and noise, Seabelo’s quadruplet looked calm and collected as they marched with panache as if the owner had whispered to them, ‘behave you will be carrying 800m Olympic medalist Amos.’

He schooled the donkeys well as they seemed to recognise his voice when he guides them even as they march through the village flanked by a large crowd responding well to the change of gears on the ropes.

With his kind of passion for riding the wagon, he has found a niche market to carry luggage to the cattlepost and farms as he reminisces that people hire him to transport their goods to places where only donkeys can pull the four wheels.

Seabelo’s business is popular in the village all thanks to his donkeys which are believed to be calm and disciplined. “Ditonki tsame di bonolo thata ebile di itse lentswe lame mo go dirang gore batho mo Tlokweng le dikgosi ba nne ba mpitsa ko medirong ya ngwao.”

The donkey cart commander says many people have approached him to partake in the Tlokweng cultural activities, which is why he was the first candidate to pop in the minds of the Queen’s Baton tour organisers.

However, he states that the tour was a charitable gesture on his part as he felt that it would expose his business to potential customers.

Seabelo says he has in the past chauffeured couples on their wedding day and believes that more people who need cultural excitement on festivals will invite him. He could not help it as his face glowed with excitement to have transported remarkable athletes and the baton on his donkey cart. ENDS