mmegi

Shepherding the cattle

Timeless: Young boys have herded livestock since time immemorial PIC: FLICKR.COM
Timeless: Young boys have herded livestock since time immemorial PIC: FLICKR.COM

At the cattle post, serving the elders to shepherd the livestock, life in the bush was an interesting lot. It was more than fun, albeit with its own trials, especially when one or two of the shepherded animals could go missing. Writes Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE

It was only one-way: The boys will immediately receive two or three strokes as a sharp reminder never to repeat it. This was the elders’ first line in many attempts to inculcate a sense of responsibility and accountability on the boys, for the future engagements. In other circumstances, even the girls shouldered the responsibility to follow the animals.

Whether kept for milk or beef, cattle formed a crucial part of the rural economies as it supported many families differently.

Editor's Comment
Public servants deserve better than union infighting

‘The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds’.- Abraham LincolnUntil then, the Council’s operations remain suspended, delaying critical decisions affecting thousands of public sector employees.The current standoff is between the Manual Workers Union on one side and the Six Cooperating Trade Unions, namely BONU, BOPEU, BTU, BDU, BOSETU and...

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