'Go athola' - a cultural concept that refuses to die!

FRANCISTOWN: It is an old tradition that has indeed stood the test of time. In this day and age when modernity and its sweeping waves of changes that leave trails of suppression of other cultures and in some instances total erosion of some cultural practices, this particular cultural trait has defied the odds.

This is the concept popularly referred to as 'Go athola' (to charge) being the direct translation equivalent. James Kaisara of Masunga says, "This is a concept that cuts across all the tribes in the country. It is a concept that is fully understood by Batswana across the tribal divide. It remains one of the social control mechanisms through which the youth are taught the norms and values of the society through some form of punishment or penalties for flouting established norms and values of the society." He explains that the main focus of such an undertaking is on the effect of the punishment on those who unfortunately have to bear the brunt for flouting the rules.

"The punishment of any form will, therefore, serve more as a guide and a constant reminder to the individuals that whatever they had said or done was not culturally sanctioned by the society," he reasons. He reveals that the nature of the punishment is determined by the gravity of the offence.

Editor's Comment
Closure as pain lingers

March 28 will go down as a day that Batswana will never forget because of the accident that occurred near Mmamatlakala in Limpopo, South Africa. The tragedy affected not only the grieving families but the nation at large. Batswana throughout the process stood behind the grieving families and the governments of Botswana and South Africa need much more than a pat on the back.Last Saturday was a day when family members said their last goodbyes to...

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