06 Jan 2015

Travelling along the A1 Road can be a rewarding experience, especially when on a long journey by bus and all one can do is look through the window and enjoy as trees appear to be speeding in the opposite direction.

Some sights may be common but a person lying on a bed mattress on the side of a busy national road like Botswana’s A1 Road can be a rare and spectacular scene to write home about.

And the thought that it was perhaps the triumph of fatigue possibly after a long journey was ruled out by the mattress which begged the question why a mattress was so used.

It is then that one would appreciate the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere we have in our country although it would seem some of us stretch it too far.

Unfortunately, travelling by bus would not allow one the opportunity to capture a photograph of such a rare but beautiful sight, in any case the man really seemed at peace with himself.

The A1 Road is the most used in Botswana and therefore familiar to a lot of people all the way from Francistown in the north to Ramatlabama in the south.

The mattress man gave more reason for one to stare through the window all the time in anticipation for more intriguing views.

Perhaps the man had taken the cautioning sign ‘Take some rest when feeling fatigue’ literally if his use of a mattress was anything to go by.

The van that was packed nearby - possibly his – appeared more suitable for carrying the mattress than anything else. 

Fair and enough about the mattress man, but one can only imagine he was in his right senses.

Another fascinating experience that A1 never fails to offer a traveller is the sight of cattle which are always strolling around reminding one that they are in a country whereby ‘cattle outnumber people’.

This sight however, puts a smile on one’s face as one remembers that it is the same cattle that produce what has been termed ‘the best beef’.

As many as they are, the animals graze freely along the road but they do not so much linger on the road precariously as to threaten the lives of motorists who use the road.

Of course the control is of a high standard because only once or twice would one see them crossing the road dangerously.

And, what of the male folkes and their indiscriminate ‘standing next to trees.’

One can only guess that it is a privilege for them to be able to pass water without anyone noticing.

There are so many suitable outlets where one can take advantage of which are open 24 hours daily, such as at Palapye and Mahalapye.

One of the things that characterise people of Botswana is farming and as such, besides the livestock that you get to see, large tracts of cropping land are usually either filled with crops or being prepared for ploughing. Motswana is a farmer.

Botswana is blessed with rivers and streams so much that water is always flowing somewhere and along the A1 road, that is what one gets to witness.

Botswana’s flag consists of three colours; blue, black and white and from a young age one was taught that the blue which is dominant in the flag represents the sky and the water. 

One guesses the prospects were right as there is plenty of natural water resources. My journey was up to the capital city of Gaborone and one could only wish it could go on forever. ENDS