09 Apr 2017

For centuries, indigenous fruits were a source of survival for inhabitants across Botswana. Motsentsela is one of them.

The fruit is loved by many even across borders in neighbouring countries.

In the Ngamiland and Okavango, Motsentsela is considered a treat and people mostly enjoy the fruit when it has thoroughly dried and as it becomes more sweet.

For one Ms Galegake Kashe aged 67, selling Motsentsela did not come as a coincidence as her late mother, Ms Gabaalelwe Tirelo used to sell the fruits for an amount of 25t per cup and the earnings were used for providing for the family.

After her mother’s death, she decided to keep alive the trade that her mother loved so dearly.

Ms Kashe vividly remembers the day the giant Montsetsela tree in her yard was planted.

She recited how even today, she is still obsessed with the tree given its historical meaning to the family.

“This particular Motsentsela tree in the centre of my yard is very significant to my family’s history.

The tree was given to my late mother in 1988 by the then ministry of forestry in Sehithwa.

She planted it in the heart of our yard and indeed the tree grew beautifully and it did not only give us fruits to eat, but a good shade as well,” explained Ms Kashe.

Ms Kashe said back then, her family would gather around under the tree to enjoy a hearty meal to the bubbly laughter of her siblings.

She started her trade early 2015 selling a cupful of this tasteful fruit for P5 each.

The energetic trader explained that her marketing strategy targets celebrations and gatherings like weddings, hospital visits and kgotla meetings.

She also sells moving from door to door.

Ms Kashe explained that motsentsela is a fruit that bears best around the periods of February to April.

At first, the fruit is dark green in color and later turns to an orange delight, she explained.

She can gather up-to 25 kg depending on how she is feeling at the time. After gathering, she dries the fruits for sometime until firm and dry.

Ms Kashe noted that most people enjoy the fruit when it is thoroughly dried as it is more, sweeter, tastier, easily consumed and less messy.

“It is also a great source of vitamin C. If the fruits are well dried and stored in a cool dry place, they can be consumed for a period of two years,” noted Ms Kashe.

She explained how the process of gathering this fruit is a rather tedious one.

"I usually call children from my neighborhood to come and help and end up re-paying them with a few cupfuls.”

Apart from Motsentsela, Ms Kashe is an pastoral farmer.

She rears goats and ploughs watermelons, sugar cane and maize.

She believes that old age does not defy one’s fate but rather hard work and resilience will take one to their final destination.

She encouraged the public at large to preserve indigenous plants for future generations. ENDS