In medical terms they call that ochlophobia or demophobia and apparently it's a type of panic attack. The city council is basically declaring a state of emergency and curfew that is against everything that defines us as Batswana. Sociologists will tell you that when we meet because of a death in the neighbour hood, it's because during times of sorrow, aberration and pressure we derive comfort in coming together. Now should we call the bereaved to confirm if they have sought permission for public gathering? Someone needs to explain the logic of this regulation because it has an effect on how we organise family meetings, churches activities, funerals, weddings and all rites of passage.
Batswana are foreigners too. Not only is someone up there scared of crowds but they are also scared of crowd pullers. Somebody needs to be informed that the churches pose no threat to government as long as governments respect basic human rights, democracy and therisanyo. This fear of crowds and crowd pullers is also observable in the general community with many calling for the expulsion of so called 'foreign' pastors. As someone who is a frequent 'foreign' pastor in countries across Africa and abroad I find this untenable.
