Reitsanye: The face of poverty

Struggling: Senkile and Sebonetse Reitsenye and their main hut PICS: RYDER GABATHUSE
Struggling: Senkile and Sebonetse Reitsenye and their main hut PICS: RYDER GABATHUSE

NATA: There was an air of hopelessness, despair and frustration as Sebonetse Reitsanye emerged from his rickety makeshift hut. Sebonetse literally struggled to get out through the improvised door as his blue t-shirt got caught on a protruding wire that held the rusty, loose door together. He fought free of the wire and eventually presented himself ready to meet with the Mmegi news team.

I was touched by the reality that he had just emerged from the ground where he had slept beside his pregnant sweetheart, two years his junior. At the age of 37, Reitsanye has already resigned himself to his fate: a life of abject poverty. As he finally emerged from the rickety structure, his eyes darted all over the place as if he was searching for clues to his troubles. He did not expect any visitors that time of the day, especially newshounds. His sweetheart, Obonyemang Senkile, is heavily pregnant with their fifth child.

From a tender age to adulthood, this father of four children has never known peace. He has been fighting incessant battles against poverty and he has been a perennial loser. Now he is purely the epitome of poverty, hopelessness and emptiness.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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