04 Sep 2018

Good writers believe that strong communication is what keeps most of the world moving in the same general direction.

The Maun-born lad, Bontekanye Botumile is one of those who share the above sentiments and also believes that writers must effectively and efficiently convey meaningful information to their readers. 

She specialises in publishing children’s and comic books and her stories are designed to preserve aspects of Botswana’s vibrant traditions. 

Her target group is young readers aged between 8-12 and schools environmental clubs.

Botumile is a hotelier by profession, with more than 18 years lodge and camp management experience in the Okavango Delta and Chobe region hence she is very particular about environment and conservation issues. 

She has successfully published her fifth book entitled, Nature’s Cleanup Crew, which tells a rich story about Botswana’s vultures.She said she had been working on the book for about four years and eventually managed to publish it last month because she believes in quality and conveying a strong message, which could impact positively on the readers.

In an interview, the Bessie Head Literature Award Winner, explained she wrote the book due to Denzer Zoo commission. 

Denver Zoo is home to more than 4 000 animals representing 615 species and it is a leader in animal care as it secures a better world for animals through human understanding. “Denver Zoo officials who supported my work all the way felt that a story needed to be told about the value of vultures in nature. 

This was in response to the rapid decline of vultures worldwide in general and Botswana included,” Botumile stressed.

The book highlights that vultures play a vital role as scavengers and keep the ecosystem clean by consuming parts of animals that would go to waste. She said she wanted to create awareness on protection of vultures as some people viewed them with disdain.

She said people tend to look down on these birds as dirty, ugly and unhygienic failing to recognise their importance hence the book carries a strong message promoting protection and conservation practices.

“I wanted people to stop actions such as poisoning predators as the vultures eat the carcasses that are left uneaten from other predators and failure to sensitise them can exacerbate the decline of vultures,” Botumile added.

She said the book had been tested at one of the schools in Maun and was happy with the reception.

She said she was optimistic that the book would do well in the market and also inspire young readers to be proactive in environment conservation.

Botumile plans to continue publishing more books which carry educational, informative and entertaining stories going forward. 

Meanwhile, besides writing her books, the author is also proud to have trained various individuals in community-based natural resources management projects throughout the country as a contribution towards increasing citizen participation in the tourism industry.

She has developed a cultural tourism product with a team of out of school youth and some artists with the aim to complement Botswana, wildlife and wilderness experience. 

The product showcases the country’s tradition in different media and teaches conservation to children and young adults. BOPA