Dear urban villagers, the Okavango Delta is not a lodge

Okavango Delta
Okavango Delta

The first thing that comes to mind when the Okavango Delta is mentioned, varies depending on who you ask.

According to the people of the Delta, the mention would trigger thoughts of the river. To them the Okavango Delta is a river that is the source of their lives. The water they drink, where they fish twini and mpa-khibidu (cat fish and tilapia), harvest letaka to build their shelter, and the bush where their grandparents taught them to hunt wild animals for food and survival. These are the people who still travel free across the Delta on their mekoro.

To many Batswana elsewhere in the country, the Okavango Delta conjures images of luxurious camps, photographed at twilight in the middle of the bush, showing the splendour and grandeur of what can be done when money is not a problem. The top end lodges with huge white-sheet beds, bathrooms with a view, free imported beverages, free cigars and personalised service. Places that boast of filthy rich clients, built for kings and queens of the world to come and taste the natural environment away from flashlights and hooters. To many Batswana, this is the world they can only dream to be at in their next life because it is too expensive. These are the same people who believe mokoro is a very dangerous mode of transport.

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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