Bakalanga ba ka Nswazwi at home in Botswana

SIKI MOTSHWARI JOHANNES
Correspondent. | Friday May 30, 2008 00:00

 

Their movement was not only predicated upon a wish to reclaim their rightful place in the land of their forefathers but harsh economic hardships equally compelled them to move. 

The trek of Bakalanga ba ka Nswazwi into Botswana could be likened to the movement of biblical Israelites who fled Egyptian bondage into the Promised Land (Canaan). Moving into Botswana resulted in the painful experience of severing relationships built over the years. It meant parting ways with old friends as well as with relatives. The latter occasioned by the fact that not all families participated in the 'great trek'. Although some had a feeling of foreboding that probably they were driving themselves into some uncertain future in a new unfamiliar territory, nevertheless, they entertained leading better and fulfilling lives. As they approach the second anniversary of their stay in Botswana, the ba Ka Nswazwi returnees shared with Mmegi how they are grappling with the daunting task of resettlement.

Summing up the sentiments of the ba ka Nswazwi Geofrey Chuma, 60, says that though they are facing a lot of challenges, generally their dreams have been fulfilled. Unlike the Israelites, who regretted the movement to the Promised Land, Chuma does not regret the decision to return to Botswana. He appreciates the fact that upon arrival, the authorities speedily allocated them residential plots and temporary shelter. The first three months saw the new arrivals living on food baskets provided by governments. As far as Chuma is concerned, the assistance given was enough to 'jump start' the lives of the returnees.

After three months everybody had to stand on his or her feet to put bread on the table.

Many, if not all, proved equal to the challenge.  In no time there was a mushrooming of new structures in areas such as Mosweu, Lesenda and Copper. The tents quickly gave way to huts made of mud, poles and reeds.  Chuma, a man of means distinguished himself from the crowd when he erected a big modern house fully furnished with modern items like refrigerator and television set. Chuma is a retired general manager of the Cold Storage Commission of Zimbabwe, the equivalent of the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC). He managed to come with two vehicles. Just like others he was forced to leave his cattle and goats. Some feel the arrangement has impoverished them. Nonetheless, shelter is one good indicator pointing towards a successful reconstruction process.

Apparently, the authorities helped the returnees to 'transplant' their huts and houses to Botswana.

How do the returnees and locals relate to each other? Boipuso Tapela, 41, had this to say: 'Tsamaya o ye go ba botsa mme nna ke bona gore re tshela  sentle le bone e bile re bereka ipelegeng mmogo.' (We coexist peacefully and we work hand in hand in the drought relief programmes). She added 'we even loaned them portions of our farming fields. If Tapela's position is anything to by, the Bakalanga ba Ka Nswazwi are fully integrated into the Nswazwi community. Enne Ndlovu, 58, expressed how delighted she was at getting the opportunity to reconnect with her roots. She reckons that the host tribe and nation have give indigenous people and returnees equal opportunities in that some returnees enjoy social safety nets such as old age pension scheme, and exemption from school fees on account of poverty. 'We have always been one people, only geographical borders had separated us from our brethrens in Botswana and I am happy to be back in the land of my ancestors, says 58-year-old Enne Ndlovu.  Speaking in fluent Setswana, Ndlovu observed that 'we were able to easily acclimatise because Batswana are a hospitable and accommodating people.'  Asked on how she managed to learn Setswana overnight, Ndlovu said Setswana is her mother tongue as she learnt it from her parents. Equally happy was Catherine Malalazi, 55, who appreciated the fact that 'ke na le motse e bile ke a bereka'. I am employed and have a home, she said.  Both Ndlovu and Malalazi not only boast of land ownership but feel privileged to have secured jobs, albeit temporarily, under the drought relief programme. Mmegi discovered that the two women were part of a contingent engaged in a community project of constructing houses for the teachers in the village.

Life is even rosier for trained returnees. There are many of them who have been absorbed into the teaching service. Demetria Chuma and Johnson Chuma are plying their trades in Nswazi and Makongwa primary schools respectively. The latter is believed to be holding the rank of deputy school head. Seven are believed to have taken up teaching posts whereas others have joined other sectors of the economy.

The new arrivals are enthusiastic about matters of village governance. Councillor Philimon Pitlagano confirmed that Ba ka Nswazwi have a keen interest in Kgotla meetings.

'Whenever there is a Kgotla meeting they attend in large numbers and sometimes outnumbering the locals.' Geofrey Chuma takes pride in his membership of the Village Independence Committee while others are involved in the Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs). However, none of the returnees is a member of the village development committee (VDC). It is hoped that when the term of the existing VDC expires next month, some returnees might be roped in.

Pitlagano hails the work ethic of the new arrivals. He sees them as an enterprising and hard working people who will play a significant role in speeding up development projects.

However, the situation of the returnees is not all that rosy in that not all found jobs, the hardest hit being the uneducated.  Senkie Sibanda, 32, finds the going tough. She is eking out a living by farming. Last year she ploughed one hectare of sorghum on a piece of land her aunt 'loaned' her. She managed to reap only three bags, which will not be enough to keep hunger at bay. Sibanda is now banking on the prospect of performing menial tasks such as sweeping yards and laundry for others who are better off. 

As for Elizabeth Chuma, 60, she could not even plough due to lack of draught power. 'I could not plough due to lack of money.' She feels government cut short services before the returnees could stand firmly on their feet. However, Geofrey Chuma feels the returnees should not be given preferential treatment since they face the same predicament as the indigenous people. 'It was wise to nip the dependency syndrome in the bud'. However, Chuma laments at the fact that their settlement has no electricity and water standpipes in individual compounds. When he tried to connect electricity the Botswana Power Corporation (BCP) demanded P187, 278.48, which he could not afford. This is because BPC says he is living outside the planning area.

However, some feel problems faced by the returnees are not peculiar to them. Problems of unemployment, poor agricultural yields and lack of draught power are universal. All in all, despite challenges that dog the returnees, they feel at home and are fancying chances of prosperity. History is littered with examples of repatriation exercises that led to continuous blood shed. The repatriation of the Israelites into Palestine in 1948 under UN supervision is a case point.  Above all this nation is grounded in matters of human relations. As Sir Seretse Khama once put it, 'Botswana can teach the rest of the world lessons on human relations'.