Suicides, the country’s nightmare :: Mmegi Online

“Re imetswe,” a Setswana phrase that loosely translates to a nation that is overwhelmed. This, in recent times, has come to define the emotional and mental state of many Batswana who seem to be struggling to cope with life’s mounting pressures. Mmegi Staff Writer PINI BOTHOKO observes

The phrase has found its way into everyday conversations, reflecting not only fatigue but also deep-seated despair. Sadly, the increasing number of people who take their own lives suggests that for some, being ‘re imetswe’ has reached breaking point.

Over the past weekend alone, Mmegi’s sister publication, The Monitor, carried three separate stories of suicide, while other local newspapers also reported similar tragedies from different parts of the country. This wave of suicides paints a worrying picture of a nation that appears to be silently crying out for help.

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