Livingstone

One of the regular customers at my work is a lekgoa Gentleman, probably in his 70s, maybe 72. He tells me he was born in Blantyre, Scotland. He further went on to remind me that Blantyre is the birthplace of Dr David Livingstone; and that there is indeed a town in Nyasaland (now Malawi) named Blantyre – of which I am very aware of as the family friend, who was the Pastor at my fathers’ funeral service is indeed from Malawi.

In 1994, the first time I had a Passport; the first time I crossed the border, the first time I visited another country – it was to Livingstone, Zambia. It was for the church Pathfinders (scouts) Camporee. The town is named after David’s surname, Livingstone.

More importantly, Dr Livingstone’s final mission was in Botswana (Kolobeng Mission): “Livingstone later visited the BaKgatla-baga-Mmanaana, who lived at Mabotsa on the Ngotwane river in the vicinity of later Lobatse. He was deeply impressed by the industrial and commercial capabilities of these BaKgatla at Mabotsa” (Nkomazana 1998, pp. 51).

Actually, I am a MoKgatla-waga-Mmanaana. Yes. My area in my home village of Kanye, is known as Kgatleng – which translates into ”the area of the BaKgatla”.

In addition, there is indeed a Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Molepolole, Botswana. My cousins’ father is from Molepolole. I have read with great interest that: ”the state-of-the-art facility dates back to 1933/1934 when the initial hospital was built by the United Free Church of Scotland”(www.gov.bw).

Today I am Happy. Thanks to the Scottish gentleman from Blantyre, for reminding me of Livingstone, Dr Livingstone, Blantyre and Blantyre.

Image: Richnoddystamps.co.uk