Children played games and swam in the river, chanting rhymes and songs and laughing happily. The waters were fresh, clean and full of fish, frogs and tadpoles. The people were all happy, as the atmosphere was friendly. Then, one day came industrialisation and ever since, the river has been denied its pride and beauty.Today, Tati River, that runs across Francistown has in some places diminished to a stream. The dry riverbed has reeds, thickets eucalyptus, Mosu and syringa trees. The green grass has grown taller as it has been undisturbed. No sand, no happy frogs singing, no stagnant waters. Behind the Francistown Stadium, across the river lies the location of Bluetown and opposite are Area S and Monarch. Residents of these locations have too turned the river into a dumping area for cartons of Chibuku, broken chairs, carcass and garbage. John Motshewa, 78 has been a resident of Bluetown for over 40 years. He says that once upon a time, the river used to overflow and was a place to refresh the mind. As years elapsed, he said people started mining sand from the river and thus destroyed its aquatic life. He lamented that the once beautiful river has turned into something that he cannot even describe as a stream. He lamented that the river has become a hideout for thieves. Though the city council sometimes cuts and burns the reeds, he said this is not effective as the plants are not uprooted.
Another resident, Amos Munyamane, said that passing by the river reminds him of the good old days when he used to go swimming. "We used to dig small wells and source water from the river," added the 44-year-old father. He said that even when they have a shortage of water, they can no longer get supplies from the river because of its filthy state and diminished size.
