Mosadithari

03 March 2018,

Mafhikana Seventh Day Adventist Church, Kanye, Botswana

In 1987, my brother and I started creche at Mosadithari Day Care Centre, about 5 minutes walk from home. At Mosadithari, all of the teachers were women. Among them was Mrs Leburu, affectionately known as Mma Ndidi, by her first born, Ndidi, as it’s the norm in Botswana. The word Mosadithari, translates into, a woman is a shield (of course, of a nation).

On a hot Sabbath morning, in celebration of International Women’s Day of Prayer, I was at Mafhikana Church. Although from a distance, it was great to see the great Mme Edith Mmusi. In May 2012, Mme Mmusi, successfully, rejected and challenged the Ngwaketse District Customary rule that only the youngest male can inherit the family home.

All of the 4 baruti, or pastors of the day at the pulpit were women: the preacher of the day, the translator, and the other 2, whose main role, I think, is to pray for the offering at various times. Following on the International Women’s Day of Prayer “program packet”, Mma Ndidi’s brief sermon was titled: “God understand”.

As I left the church at the end, I firmly shook hands with Mma Ndidi and the eloquent translator, Mma Molale. I reminded Mma Ndidi that I was very lucky to have my very first school teacher in my life to also be the pastor today. I asked her about Ndidi, her daughter, whom I know very well. In 1994, Ndidi and I were part of a Mafhikana group of Pathfinders who went to Livingstone, Zambia, for a Camporee.

Later on, just after I enjoyed lunch together with my grandmother and Gorata, daughter to my mother’s sister Lilian, I walked to the Mafhikana Bar to watch the televised football match between South African archrivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Just when I was approaching Mafhikana Post Office, I met up with Ndidi. We hugged, and we briefly talked. I continued marching to Mafhikana Bar and about 5 minutes later I arrived at the almost empty bar. I pulled up a stool and ordered a king can of Coke.

Similar to the church, at the bar, I was particularly impressed by the 4 women presenting and discussing the celebrated Soweto Derby: 2 presenters and 2 guests. Just before the match started, a strong united circle of women sang a song. I could’t make sense of the lyrics to the song as by then the bar was packed, a few of us were on the stools, some, with beer bottles in their hands were seated on the floor, while most stood up. As we whistled, sang and clapped and passed remarks on how well the boys would be playing. Nevertheless, on the TV, I saw the letters: There is no excuse for violence against women.

As I sipped on the well chilled Coke I was reminded of Mosadithari Day Care Centre, Mma Ndidi, and Ndidi. And all the women in my life.

#shieldofanation

#mosadithari

#noexcuse

#women