24 Nov 2020

The whistle for festive or holiday season, generally considered to run from late November to early January, is warming up to blow yet the vibe is at its lowest ebb if not completely diverted.

Lampposts adverts that usually degenerates into war, with adverts placed atop another on available eyelevel space, are yet to be spotted at least in Bobirwa area.

Some fences, notice boards and walls at prime spots have, in the past, been bearers of holidays activities guide. It appears they are taking a break this season.

Radio jingles and adverts on mainstream media are yet to play and flight. Social media events teasers are yet to invade and encroach individual’s pages.

Basically, the air is yet to bulge with a host of annual and planned festive activities. All these advertising platforms seem to be taking a breather in an unusual fashion because there exists not even a svelte chance that such events would be held. Completely unorthodox.

Usually, adverts for various activities start being seen, heard all over in November and gain traction as the month grows older.

Activation shows kick-start late November or even earlier, depending on the financial muscle of organizers, to warm up revelers and whet their appetite for the upcoming events.

By observation, the mood in Bobonong Constituency is not in synch with the date and expectations of a treasured season. Justifiably so because the country is currently under state of public emergency (SOE) until next year to curtail the spread of Covid19 pandemic.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi initially declared SOE effective April 2, 2020 for six months. The SOE was further extended by another six months and stretched to March 2021.

Some of the interventions people have to steadfastly adhere to include, but not limited to extreme social distancing. Where people queue, like at shops, they should keep about a meter or two between each other.

These protocols essentially dictate outright postponement if not cancellation of some of the planned annual events that mostly converge to entertainment to revelers who have grown accustomed to.

Ardent lovers of the festivities associated with the season will find themselves having to adhere to the ‘new normal,’ restricted to their homes where they would be required to leave only when absolutely indispensable to.

Under the new normal, a select few who will meet the prerequisite, will be allowed to cross borders in and outside the country, according to a communication from Office of the President approving lifting of international travels in a phased manner, starting November 9.

Travelers exiting Botswana, at select borders, have been advised to comply with Covid-19 regulations of destination countries, of course at own expenses.

Young people have over time demonstrated a penchant for travelling during the holiday season for fun and creation of long lasting memories at their determined special places.

But with Covid-19 the youth who, in their usual free range motion during the season, will see their wings clipped and their legs cuffed in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. Curtailing of movement is part and parcel of an array of efforts meant to control the virus.

As of November 13, Greater Selibe Phikwe zone had a total of 148 cases of Covid-19. Of these 148, 56 were still active cases while 92 were recoveries. Bobonong cluster had recorded a total 56 of these cases, of which 12 were still active while 44 were recovered.

While some event organizers have accepted the challenges birthed by the pandemic others are still hopeful that waivers and special arrangements could be hatched to necessitate them to hold their events.

In a recent interview with minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti said that his ministry was devising a plan with a view to curtailing travels during the festive season, especially from red zones as Gaborone.

Dr Dikoloti ruled out possibilities of hosting dikhwaere, football games and other festive events, emphasizing the need to contain the virus. In fact, the minister requested that people remain at their bases and not go to their home villages in an unprecedented occasion.

The minister feared another covid-19 spike during and post festive holidays. When contained, the minister found that the funds used to combat Covid-19 could be used for developments elsewhere.

Based on prevailing Covid-19 circumstances Bobirwa Festive Punch (BFP), one of the big events of the region, will not stage, at least according to an interview with event organizer Mr Kabo Kgathi.

While conceding that the non-staging of the show would impact negatively on financial and social aspects of lives of many, Mr Kgathi was alive to the daunting task of virus containment. He said that BFP would not be seen to be helping in fueling the spread of the virus.

“Our numbers extend to other businesses in the region and this yields indirect benefit to them,” Mr Kgathi said about businesses such as lodges, shops and food caterers that reap indirectly from their event.

Though aware that the country is under SOE, Mr Kgathi, like others is expectant that the Covid-19 task force and the country leadership would devise ways that would see shows like BFP come to life in 2021 and beyond.  

In Gobojango, Mr David Mapetla of Gobadwe Sports Tournament said they were still observing events as they unfolded to gauge whether or not their event stood a chance to stage amid the pandemic.

However, Mr Mapetla reckoned it would be a reverse of their gains if their tournament could be cancelled due to Covid-19.

Though not recalcitrant, Mr Mapetla could not fathom festive season without the tournament that generated up to P150 000 from gate takings and P40 000 from sponsor.

Conceding that large gathering could aid in Covid-19 transmission, Mr Mapetla reckoned that total compliance to the protocols at the grounds would be key.

To that, he will write a letter to minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development with a view to devising ways that would necessitate them to host their tournament safely.  

Mr Mapetla said that the tournament gave back to society by donating part of their proceeds to Gobojango Junior Secondary School.  ENDS