Remembering Goo-Tau village

REGINALD KEBAHUDILE | Thursday July 28, 2011 00:00

 This got me asking, who is going to tell the story of my home village Goo-Tau?

My dear reader there is no single person who is not proud of where he/she comes from.  I beam from ear-to-ear as I get lost in nostalgia, the sweet childhood memories of my village.

Situated 310km from the capital city Gaborone and 45km east of Palapye from the Martins Drift road in Tswapong North; Goo-Tau (pronounced Goo-Dau) is a typical Setswana village.  The village lies at the foot of a hill that also covers Palapye and Ratholo village. Though the village is home to different tribes most of the residents are of Tswapong origin and generally speak Setswapong.  Sadly the language is often confused with Sebirwa, but if one pays attention to detail they would be able to make a distinction.  Setswapong just like many local languages is a beautiful language that if left to blossom it could be appreciated by many.  Some of my friends find the language very funny; they laugh uncontrollably at any phrase.  It is not a coincidence, generally Batswapong are hilarious people and often animated in everything they do.

Kgosing and Monneng are the only wards in the village and the traditional leader is Rre Maele Maele.  There are only two schools, being Goo-Tau Primary and Gosemama Junior Secondary School.  The name Gosemama was coined to include the other three villages of Sekgweng, Manaledi and Matlhakola, which are close neighbours of Goo-Tau.  The village prides itself in being one of the first in the region to have a secondary school.  It is no wonder that Goo-Tau residents have grown up to embrace education as the most important thing in their lives.  Over 50 percent of Goo-Tau youths are teachers in different schools across the country.

Though villagers have embraced education and mostly going for white collar jobs, farming is still the major driving force of the village's economy.  Harvest time is one season to behold, when the Tswapong ancestors have smiled on everybody and no single soul goes to sleep on an empty stomach.  The harvest season is never complete without the famous Setopoti, a traditional brew derived from a watermelon.  Fans of this non-alcoholic drink have various names for it.  The village favourite Lenong - 'Vulture' - refers to it as Guava juice and the silver-haired Ranchi is adamant that it is the best drink ever made.

Goo-Tau has its fare share of fame.  There are a couple of individuals who have achieved national stardom like former Zebras and BDF XI player, Banks Namane and Extension Gunners player, Moses Pelaelo.  Also of note are Radio Botswana employee Idah Seoforeng and the current Tswapong North Member of Parliament Prince Maele and specially-elected councillor, Victor Malete.  There is also my favourite author Shine Namane who is a cousin to my late father Lucky Kebahudile.

Every public holiday is a big issue in Goo-Tau, the rest of the day is spent at the football grounds where village teams Cosmos, Goo-Tau Home Sweepers and Raiders would be turning it on.  December is my favourite month when all sons and daughters of the village would have returned from the city to be with their loved ones.  There is never a place like home.Pula Batswapong ba ha rena.  Pula Bakgopeng, ba bina mmutla wa lentswe.