Who is Botswana? What is Botswana? Where is Botswana? How is Botswana? Why Botswana?

Botswana, a former British surrogate colony formerly known as the Bechuanaland Protectorate, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa.

Although widely acknowledged as the “African Miracle”, some opted for, “an African Success Story”, while others settled for, perhaps Eurocentric, “Switzerland of Africa”.

What I know is that Botswana is home to the richest diamond mine in the world, the Jwaneng Mine. Home to the spectacular Okavango Delta, fittingly, the lush Delta is the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to the great Makgadikgadi Pans: Nxai, Ntwetwe, Sua. How can I not mention the red sand dunes of the Kgalagadi Desert!

Botswana is also home to the Thamalakane River, Boteti River, Motloutse River, Shashe River. Home of Tsodilo Hills, Otse Hill, home to the dry savannah, home to a pod of hippos, a zeal of zebras, a troop of baboons, a tower of giraffes. Home to the Kalahari elephants, the rich birdlife that includes Flamingos. Home to termite moulds, medicinal plants, reeds and thatching grass. How can I not mention the very social, perhaps habituated, meerkats!

Botswana is home to my ululating mother’s favourite Leteisi garment, interestingly known as the German Print, home to the very patriarchal Kgotla system. Also, home of Kgosi Mosadi Seboko, the country’s first female paramount chief, who, ironically, is the leader of the Bamalete kgotla.

Botswana is home to the delicious Delele, Diphaphatha bread, home to the Bogobe porridge, home to the nutritious Phane worms. How can I not mention the Seswaa meat!

And of course the earthy aromas of the cattle dung!

Botswana is home to the Wayeyi of Sankuya, the Bakwena of Kgosi Sechele, the well-known fishing Hambukushu women and their fishing baskets, the Bakalanga of She Nswazwi, and the Shua Khoe of Nata. Botswana is the home of Seronga village, home of the mokoro dugout canoe, and yes, home of the Seronga mokoro polers.

Not forgetting the talented Oodi Weavers, with their traditional-Botswana-themed tapestries.

Home to the Phatisi dance, the rain dance for Mwali: Wosana, and the Tsutsube music. Of course, Botswana is also home to the CKGR’s Polka Dance.

What I also know is that my father’s spirit continues to Bless Botswana. Not only my great father’s spirit but also the spirits of the crocodile people who came before him: Great women such as Keatweng Mogojwa, who went on to also adopt the legend’s famous name: Kgasa, whom we carry his name, 5, 6, 7 generations later!

Botswana, my heritage; Botswana, my pride, Botswana, your destination!

Goroga ka Pula! Welcome to Botswana!