Leave for Change in Botswana

I know, I said it was going to be a technical post. I’m still working on that one.

You’re crushed. I can tell.

Late on Monday night we were invited to the local high school to participate in their observance of Youth Day in South Africa. It is to remember the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976.

You can read more following the articles I linked above but, basically, the South African government diverted a large amount of financial aid from primarily black areas to augment the funding for primarily white schools. Then, they passed an act that barred black children from attending white schools.

The final insult was a decree that all black schools teach in Afrikaans and English (50-50 mix) and not their native languages.

Students walked out of class to rally and through indiscriminate force, police killed 23 people. In the resulting riots, it is estimated that over 500 people were killed.

Botswana shares this day with South Africa (and the rest of Africa) in solidarity and we were lucky to be part of it. We originally thought it was going to be a few hours in the morning (starting at 7:30am) but it wasn’t over until almost 1:30pm.

About the school event
We each had to introduce ourselves to the faculty and then the entire school audience. We were treated as most Batswana treat visitors, which is very well. We were more than a little humbled (and a little embarrassed) by their affection.

As for the show well, it was a variety show! It started with the national anthem and prayer and then different classes would prepare dramatic skits (some sad, some funny). There was also some traditional and ballroom dancing as well as just gettin’ down

This is a shot of the audience during one of the drama segments. A recurring theme through most of the skits is the topic of rape and safe sex, discrimination, violence and child abuse. There is a very strong awareness for all of these topics in Botswana (particularly regarding HIV/AIDS).

Education is power

Here’s a shot of class filing in for one of the skits.

A drama group filing into the auditorium

This is the traditional dance group. They are going to participate in Gaborone in the national competition. They were amazing.

Traditional dance group

Ballroom dancing! The audience was really loud during this segment. The kids were really good as well.

Ballroom dancing

The drummers were excellent. It’s hard to tell from the picture, but it wasn’t just a marching drill. The kids would start dancing at certain parts but it flowed quite well.

Scout group drum drill

HIV/AIDS is a huge issue in Botswana (some 1 out of 4 adults are affected) so ads, condoms etc. are everywhere. This was written on one of the main entrance walls when you leave the secondary school grounds.

Condom message on school wall