mmegi

Glimpses of life in the heart of a desert

Waterhole along Nossob River in the KTP  PICS: THALEFANG CHARLES
Waterhole along Nossob River in the KTP PICS: THALEFANG CHARLES

There is a peculiar feeling about being in the desert. I have not fully understood the feeling - I probably need a few more trips to fully comprehend it - but I have glimpses of it. And this is my attempt to describe it.

If one takes the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) map and points right at the middle of it, that is the general location of Matopi Campsites. It is one of the remotest campsites in the country. It is literally in the middle of nowhere.

There is not much at Matopi. Just a few Shepherd’s Trees (metopi) and an eerie looking dysfunctional pit latrine. There is no water source around. No expansive views, , just desert shrubs. Matopi is where one feels completely disconnected from the modern world.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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