The highly intelligent, sharp thinking and inspirational Mme Ontefetse Babusi. She was born in 1925 to Rre Nkwe le Mme Dikeledi Modukanele in Kanye, Bechuanaland (present-day Botswana). Married to the late Rre Sebatlo Babusi.
It should be noted that not only her father was a ngaka ya Setswana, or traditional doctor of note, but her husband too. A critical point to point out is that although “Western” medicine was starting to become established, around the time Ontefetse was born, it was primarily traditional forms of medicine that many Batswana relied upon as trusted source of effective health care.
In that regard, apart from actually digging various medicinal plants in the open woodland and grassland, such as sengaparile or devil’s claw, both my maternal grandfather and great grandfather’s well known roles included “go phekola”, or to cure a large number of patients. Followed by the administration of medicine as well as directions on how and when to actually take the common decoctions.
Ontefetse, had only 1 brother who went on to become a pastor, and 3 sisters, she tells me that her father patiently trained her when she was a young girl, and her hesitant husband continued where her old man left off. Following the expert tutelage, through observation and on-hands training, she started digging medicinal plants and roots on her own for not only her children but also patients as well. According to Ontefetse, she successfully treated ailments such as headaches, diarrhoea, toothaches, kidneys, high blood pressure and skin rush. As a nurse or midwife she assisted both her family and the community at large in deliveries and also went on to “baa bana diphogwana” for a very long time. Ontefetse elaborated that traditional healing was hereditary along the male line, and in some cases, a non relative could be trained but they were then required to pay for the intensive training with cattle.
Although never really recognised as a traditional doctor, a herbalist or even a healer, owing to extreme gendered social relations in Botswana at the time (although much improved, patriarchy still disadvantages women), particularly in traditional medicine, Ontefetse is a prominent traditional doctor.
On my paternal side, my late father, Lekgoanyana, was born to Leselekwane, Leselekwane was born to Sebetlela, Sebetlela was born to Seohela, Seohela was born to Kgasa.
Interestingly, I’m told Seohela was a very popular traditional doctor. And I am also told that Seohela’s daughter, Thatoyame, was indeed Ontefetse’s fathers first wife. This revelation came around 2015 when I further interrogated Ontefetse when I realised that she had detailed history of the house of Seohela, which at present, is the Kgasa kgotla or ward at Mafhikana. It should be noted that Ontefetse’s daughter, my mother Gaontebale, went on to marry Lekgoanyana, Seohela’s great grandson. So, from this small sample we can assume that some traditional doctors prefer marrying in families of other traditional doctors. As demonstrated by Nkwe whose first wife Thatoyame, as well as second wife Ontefetse were themselves children of traditional doctors.
When I was home on February/March 2018, I had the privilege of her exclusive company and she showed me various herbs such as Masigomabe, Makgonatsotlhe as well as Wheat Grass that she had planted at home, where she lives with her daughter Gaontebale, my mother. During the herb training, the “millennial” in me couldn’t stop pinching myself and utterly appreciating the special moment the 93-year-old passed the wealth of knowledge to her curious 36-year-old grandson. Of course, one session is not enough at all to exhaust Ontefetse’s incredible knowledge of plants.
It should be emphasised that my fulfilling 2017 research study in Gasita, on how diamonds have actually impacted the rural agricultural livelihoods in Botswana has been greatly informed by Ontefetse’s continuous storytelling, songs, and poems as well as her pregnant life stories.
This is an ode to The Great Ontefetse, her husband and her father, as well as Seohela.
Basket Weaver; Grass and Crop Scythe Expert; Experienced Hand Knitter; Mud-Mixer; Shepherd; Traditional Doctor; Herbalist; Midwife; Singer; Dancer; Storyteller; Poet; Feminist.
Daughter. Sister. Wife. Niece. Aunty. Cousin. Mother. Grandmother. Great-Grandmother.
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Blessing Kgosi e tsile Kgasa 