Significance of Day of the African Child

Not many know the symbolism of a day that is being celebrated today, June 16, or day of the African Child. Misinformation, propaganda, half-truths and downright lies have led the youth astray. Opportunist politicians climb on the saddle of the day and manoeuvre it to suit their ill-fated schemes. I had listened with acatalectic disgust, people’s asinine and puerile notions that June 16 is a South African affair – and that we, here in Botswana, should have nothing to do with it. I almost drew my machete. Our nation should know that our people and the people of South Africa are basically one. They should know that prior to our independence in ’66; the Union of South Africa almost consumed this country. And the Union would have been justified for having done so – after all, our colonial administration did little, if anything at all, to develop us. We depended heavily on the Union for virtually everything – food, communication, money, etc. All the British did was to fight for their ‘territory’ (Bechuanaland) not to be absorbed into South Africa. In my opinion, that was a good fight, though not a spirited fight. Imagine how things could have turned had we been physically consumed. There would be no Botswana today. I say physically consumed because, you see, economically, politically and in many other ways, we were a part of South Africa. So the plights of the South African youths in the winter of 1976, just ten years after our independence (?), should touch us more that it should touch any other African country.  So before you look me in the eye to utter hogwash thoughts about days like this, be prepared for a thunderstorm. When we talk critical African history, firm yourself up, lest you regret for ever opening your mouth.