In their own voices
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Basiile Banda Stoffel (44-years-old)
Angela Phatsimo Ranku (15-years-old)
I feel honoured and privileged to be part of BOT50. I am very proud to be Motswana because 50 years ago there was no development in the country and people were struggling. After Botswana gained Independence, we saw it developing to where it is today. More hospitals were built. Before Independence there were no good health facilities. Many diseases and sicknesses can be healed and controlled unlike in the past. Literacy has also increased because we see many young and even older people going to school, which is very commendable. We also have better roads than in the past. I am happy to be part of BOT50 and I will for the first time of my life be celebrating Independence at the National Stadium.
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...