The love of the horse in Kweneng West

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Thursday July 15, 2010 00:00

 

One can safely say that the horse is the preferred mode of transport in Kweneng West as most people in the area, which is arguably one of the poorest in the country, cannot afford cars. It is commonplace to see young men galloping around on horseback with gay abandon as they try to impress their poorer mates who cannot afford a horse. Men drive cattle to their kraals on horsebacks, which most certainly makes the job easier and quicker.

During Mmegi's recent visit to the Kweneng West village of Takatokwane, the team chanced upon two young girls on horseback with somebody who looked like their mother or older sister leading the horse on foot. It was obvious that the young riders were enjoying the ride as they kept on smiling at nothing in particular. There is no doubt that the people of this windswept area are in love with their horses as the animals make their lives easier.

I have observed the almost 'intimate' relationship between the people of Takatokwane and their horses when I was doing my national service (Tirelo Sechaba) in the village more than 15 years ago. The son of my then host's most prized possession was his horse.

When he woke up, the first thing he would do was to check on his horse and inspect it before feeding it. He would lovingly whisper soothing words into the ear of the animal as he gave it the attention it deserved. After all, the horse was his most trusted companion, which would take him wherever he wanted. It was his horse that always brought him back home safely from different missions. One can say that in Kweneng West and perhaps the neighbouring Kgalagadi and Gantsi Districts, the horse is one of man's dearest friends.

This is not surprising because since time immemorial, man and his horse have been close friends and have gone through thick and thin together. According to Makwakwa Dithapo, an elder in Takatokwane, horses are very important in the lives of his people. The village is populated by Baboloongwe, the San and people of mixed race.

'In the past, horses were very important to our people because herdsmen would look after cattle on horseback.Our forefathers also used to hunt for lions which used to kill cattle,' Dithapo told Mmegi.

He said that in the past, people would use horses to go hunting for wild game such as eland, which roamed the land aplenty in those days. The old man said that back then, there was nothing such as poaching as people were allowed to hunt freely. The hunters were careful with the number of animals they killed as they were only allowed to hunt for the pot.

Have horses always been part of the lives of the people of Kweneng West? 'When I was still young, there were not many horses around.

Our elders would go to the Boer farms to buy horses, so nowadays, everybody has a horse,' said Dithapo.

He said that the influx of horses in the area has had negative effects since many young people are using them for cattle rustling and poaching.

This is giving elders sleepless nights.  As modernity continues to creep upon the lives of the people of Kweneng West, one cannot help but wonder if this will affect the special relationship between the residents and their horses.