The ins and outs of the traditional cattle post

This was a complicated labor supply chain spurred by the symbiotic relationship between the British and the South African mine corporations.  It would appear the traditional cattle post in Botswana was not part of the supply chain, but it unwittingly became a holding ground for migrant workers to South African mines, according to some observers.

Records show that as more girls were sent to school after the introduction of western education in Botswana by Dr. David Livingstone in 1847, more boys lost out to serve as herd boys at the cattle post before enlisting to work at the South African mines and industries when they became of age.  Infect, physical appearance was a more determinant factor than age because only able bodied men were conscripted into the mine labor force.