29 May 2018

Botswana Pantsula Association (BPA) in partnership with Old Naledi Customary Court, UN Women and Department of Gender Affairs this past weekend held a pantsula behavior change seminar in Old Naledi in an effort to contribute to social cohesion.

The event was characterised by a walk by pantsulas who donned their various pantsula attire and walked from Orapa House through White City, Bontleng, New Stance, Fairgrounds and then to Old Naledi where people gathered to participate in the activities of the day.

The event was held under the theme, ‘Unearthing behavioural change 2018 and beyond’. The Botswana Pantsula Association chairperson, Peter Modise indicated that the pantsula behaviour change event started last year and was hosted in Mochudi, Tlokweng, Thamaga and Ramotswa.

“The main idea behind this initiative is to sensitise about behavioural change in all regions of Botswana and we are expecting this event to grow and be hosted in all the districts of Botswana through kgotla meetings annually,” he said.

He noted that BPA was a non-governmental organisation duly registered with the sole mandate of helping to minimise the alarming cases of gender based violence, disturbing crime rates and escalating usage of drugs.

Modise indicated that some of the expected accomplishments from hosting this event is to reach out to male dominated sectors and men in communities to discuss gender and health issues with a view to openly condemning violence and promoting positive behaviours.

“We want to engage our traditional leaders with a view to co-host gender based violence sensitisation programmes for communities and also advocate for positive culture and discourage the negative culture that promotes gender based violence,” continued Modise.

He said the time was opportune for people to stop associating bad things with the pantsula lifestyle.

“We all know the stereotypes that come with being a pantsula but this should not be the case. This is a lifestyle and one can have a successful career and still be a pantsula who contributes positively to his/her community and this is what we should strive for,” he said.

Modise further said as with everything else, there are those that use the guise of the pantsula lifestyle to involve themselves in bad things, hence undoing some of the good work that the association does in the community.

“These are the people we need to root out because we cannot live like this and be at the mercy of people who choose to be bad and not take responsibility for their actions but rather divert it to being a pantsula. We want to and should be role models in our communities,” he said.

Some of the activities for the day included cultural exchange activities such as poems, songs with positive messages, plays, drama and artistes who engaged with communities on various issues of public concern.

Most of the people BOPA spoke to at the event applauded the initiative for its positive contribution to their community and also encouraging social cohesion among people who live different lifestyles.

Titus Puso, a resident of Old Naledi, said what he liked most was the participation of Kgosi Arnold Somolekae and his involvement with societal issues and always willing to step up and get his hands dirty.

“He has proven time and time again that he cares for his people and he wants to address pertinent issues that affect us and he should be applauded for leading from the frontline,” he said.

Puso said even though the general consensus amongst most people is that pantsulas are an unwanted lot, the misconception is being cleared and the correct version lived out by the association.

“It is the same thing with other lifestyles out there. You have ma-rock, bikers and they are loved and celebrated, and because most of them are involved in issues affecting people and helping out, it goes a long way and the same courtesy should be extended to Botswana Pantsula Association for what they have been doing,” he said.

He noted that people have the right to choose how they want to live their lives and at the same time people also need to exercise responsibility and be aware of other people’s rights and not trample on them just for the sake of wanting to feel good about themselves.

“Crime has never been the answer and we should teach our children to work hard and not be ashamed of hard work. Be proud that you are a security guard, cleaner, driver, labourer etc and do your job to the best of your ability with a smile,” he said. ENDS