Call for vigilance, unity this festive season

The Monitor Editor | Monday December 22, 2025 09:49

The crimes detailed elsewhere in this edition from the loss of a former minister to the heartbreaking murder of a child, and public arson to relentless gender-based violence, paint a distressing picture of a society under strain.

These are not isolated tragedies. They are a collective alarm bell, ringing out as we enter a period meant for peace and goodwill.

The festive season, while a time of joy, can also amplify existing pressures. Family tensions, financial worries, and increased social gatherings can, tragically, become triggers for violence.

The year’s grim statistics, showing a rise in murders often born from intimate disputes or petty arguments, tell us that the sanctity of human life is being eroded by unchecked anger and deep-seated issues.

Therefore, this is a call to every citizen to be vigilant. True vigilance means more than locking doors. It means looking out for one another.

Check on your neighbours, your friends, your family members who may be struggling. Notice the signs of distress, the escalation of arguments, the cries for help that are too often whispered.

Do not dismiss domestic disputes as private matters. They should rather be viewed as community concerns that can end in the headlines we have read all too often this year.

This season, let us choose de-escalation. Walk away from petty confrontations. Report concerns to authorities without hesitation. Support local organisations working against gender-based violence and offering mental health support. If you see someone at risk, offer a safe space or assist them in seeking help.

The tragic death of Magadi Mokganelwa, killed just after seeking a protection order, is a stark reminder that systems need to work, but community support is the first line of defence. The crimes of 2025 have shaken us, but they must not paralyse us. They highlight urgent needs: for stronger interventions, for better support structures, and for a renewed cultural respect for life and dignity.

As we reflect on a difficult year, let our resolution for 2026 begin now, in this festive period. Let us celebrate, but let us do so with compassion, awareness, and a firm commitment to peace. By standing together and refusing to tolerate violence in any form, we can honour the memory of those lost and work towards a safer, kinder Botswana for all. Have a peaceful and vigilant holiday season.

A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved. – Kurt Vonnegut