Is Nijel 'the forgotten pioneer?'

Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday September 17, 2025 06:40

It is a question whose answer is not cast in stone. It resides more in the realm of social science than pure science. It is not 1+ 1 = 2; it is rather contextual.

The point of departure can be drawn from the government's recent decision to issue a commemorative P50 note featuring Botswana's poster boy, Letsile Tebogo.

Never in the history of the country, and just may be, the whole world, has an athlete been honoured in this manner. It reminds one of Prince Akeem Joffer whose head was imprinted in the notes of the fictitious African nation of Zamunda in the movie, Coming to America.

Yes, Letsile's head will be carried through the pockets of many, thanks to the newly introduced P50 note. It is unclear what triggered government's decision to honour him at this time, or may be it was meant to coincide with the ongoing World Championships or the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations.

But this is not the topic for the day. The dominant discourse post the issuing of the commemorative note has been Amos' cryptic message 'the forgotten pioneer.'

Amos rose to stardom in 2012 when he became Botswana's first athlete to win an Olympic medal. The Olympics are sport's pinnacle event and Botswana had toiled without success since 1980, to get a medal at the competition. Against all odds, up stepped a then wet behind the ear 18-year-old athlete with an unorthodox running style to stun the world as he won a silver medal in the 800m.

Amos' life changed in an instant; straight from Marobela to the world. He became the next best thing after Amantle Montsho, who had been crowned the world champion a year earlier.

Then there is Isaac Makwala, who is also up there as one of Botswana's foremost athletes.

I would have Tebogo at the top of the pile, as numbers and medals at two of the biggest competitions, the Olympics and the World Championships back him up.

It's then a toss between Montsho, Amos and Makwala for second spot, but Montsho's 2011 world champion title should give her the edge for second spot.

But the rankings do not matter, particularly for the purpose of this discussion, it is merely to illustrate their worth.

The country has been blessed with these talented men and women; how then do you balance honouring them. Makwala and Tebogo are beneficiaries of houses through the government's incentives policy.

Amos feels left out, although in 2012, the policy did not entitle winners to houses. There were suggestions that it could be done retrospectively in honour of what Amos has achieved for the country, and then logically, this would have extended to Montsho for her 2011 achievement.

This was never a considered option, it's a discussion that started and also met its demise on the streets of social media.

Then now, the commemorative note, Amos and others are not included. Do they deserve the honour; without a doubt yes.

They might not have achieved what Letsile has done in his short career, but indeed they are pioneers (and there are other pioneers like Glody Dube). Recognition might not be accorded evenly, but let the nation not forget its pioneers, if indeed it has.