Slang: Botswana�s unofficial third language

Youth at the Main Mall. PIC: TSELE TSEBETSAME
Youth at the Main Mall. PIC: TSELE TSEBETSAME

In the aftermath of International Mother Language Day, Mmegi Correspondent, NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE finds that the youth have their own regional lingua franca, slang, or tsotsitaal as they call it in South Africa aka Mzansi

Ola skim sam! Skipane daah! Hope le mnizi nonke. Vandaag re tsile go qamtha kasi lingo (Hi pal! Howzit?! ‘hope you’re fine. Today we gonna speak slang).

Recently, Botswana celebrated International Mother Language Day in Middlepits where everyone demonstrated pride in their native tongues.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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