Bamalome, Lesang Go Ja Bana Ditlhogo

Years back when I was working for the Sunday Independent newspaper in South Africa, I was confronted with a blast from the past, our past as a nation.

A colleague, the then Independent newspapers’ group foreign editor, Peter Fabricious, threw a snide at me; “so your culture encourages incest…” As I turned around in shock, about to shout “racist”, he told me he sent me a story from home, Botswana, to edit, which speaks of cultural acceptance to the practice of incest. The opinion piece was written by Botswana’s former Attorney General, Ambassador Dr Athalia Molokomme, who was then the head of Southern African Development Community  gender desk.

Dr Molokomme, had uncomfortably confronted our cultural practices that not only spoke to incest, but also encouraged molesting of the girl child.  Amongst other practices of the past, some still present in our communities, such as the concept of di boela sakeng, when mainly amongst the Bangwato, immediate cousins married each other and bogadi is retained within the family.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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