In high spirits, I alighted from the Mogoditshane Route 7 kombi at Lesirane Clinic to the sounds of different music genres floating through the neighbourhood, indicating the weekend vibes.
It was not only a weekend to enjoy on the outskirts of Gaborone but a breather from the noisy city streets. After a short stroll of 150 metres in the direction of my friend’s place, I arrived and got a warm reception from her. To my surprise, she ushered me to a nearby compound where as we walked, I learnt was her sister’s yard.
It is a Friday night in Tsolamosese, as commonly known in Mogoditshane circles, but the ward is said to have originally been the ploughing fields of some Gabane residents.
Summer dusk leads us into the compound where friends are enjoying their drinks. Some men carry building construction equipment such as saws, levels, and others, clearly returning from piece jobs. They all gulp homemade ginger beer like wine, Chibuku and a sister concoction called mokhobokhobo to quench their thirst from their all-day hustles, popularly referred to as phizanas.
Even though I had no other serious agenda but just to enjoy the hood, it was also an opportunity for me to familiarise myself with the other side of life amongst the semi-urban dwellers, while they were seriously guzzling their alcoholic beverages.
I was not surprised by the turn-up of the patrons at the tavern because many, whether males or females, were raised in almost a similar environment.
“Mme kana jaaka le bona ke le fa jaana, ke godisitswe ke Mme a omela khadi le bojalwa jwa Setswana le Shake-Shake,” a lamentation often heard from the testimonies of those who have made it to the other side of success in life. This often happens as they debate the best environment for bringing up children, particularly the girl-child.
Under the yellow moon, visibly expressive patrons increase in numbers and gather around the bonfire and suddenly a call comes from one of the patrons.
“Modaefok, waabo a le kae mosimane yo... Heela monna, Modaefok, tlaya kwano, tla o nne fa go papa.” A father is instructing a young boy, about three years old, to sit between his legs by the fire.
Apparently, the boy was conceived around the COVID-19 period, when government enforced strict regulations that prohibited the sale of alcohol. Some people, in a desperate quest to quench their thirst, opted for homemade brews such as Modaefok and the young boy’s parents decided to name him after the brew.
It is now common in Tsolamosese that the boy is called Modaefok but according to some members of the community, loyal patrons have advised both parents to at least avoid carrying the boy along to taverns, as this could have further negative consequences for the child.
According to Gusto*, Modaefok’s parents are cohabiting and they do not have formal employment. The father has artisan and building construction skills while the mother is reliant on piece jobs and sometimes gets engaged in the Ipelegeng programme. “When not engaged, the mother stays home with the kids, including Modaefok’s 10-year-old sister who is doing Standard 4. “She carries them along to the digoti, and roams around the area from as early as 8am even midweek, until late night at 10pm.”
Modaefok’s mother shyly admits that the family is living a tough life. She reveals that she is often forced to take the children along to wherever she has found a piece job.
“Tota ke tshela bokete le bo ngwanake. “Ke patelesega go tsamaya le bone ko keyang go batla tironyana teng ka weekend. “I am not sure about the future with this man (referring to Moaefok’s father),” she said, without sharing her name.
She says she needs out-of-school clothes and shoes for the children.
Modaefok’s father, in his late 40s, says he is trying all he can to take care of his son.
Patrons, however, see the issue differently and believe the alcohol-littered environment is not doing the young boy any good.
“Modaefok o setse a itse ditlhapa and that’s because he hears that from the elders at the sgoti,” one patron says.
The impact of the illicit brew, modaefok, appears to be persisting beyond the COVID-19 era, impacting families and even the future of a young boy.
