29 Jan 2023

Under the beautiful night sky, rain clouds linger lazily with their drizzles tenderly stroking the sheer elephant tusks cradling the Okavango River Bridge, popularly known as Mohembo bridge.

It is not until after dusk that you discover how magical the bridge is with its colourful rays of gold, blue, purple and white, not to mention the red twinkles on each tusk. It is a sight to behold! The colourful beams kiss the dark clouds with a swift transition that can play tricks on the eyes of onlookers who may wonder ‘’how can the stars be so visible above the thick, dense rain clouds.”

A picturesque moment is when the gigantic landmark glows to gold embodying the African sun. A breathtaking sight indeed! Poetic as well, when you take a glance from the west wing where the pontoon used to off load cargo, it embodies one of the plentiful fish of the Okavango Delta; the bream fried scrumptiously on a frying pan with its golden scales and fins stretched.

Prepare to be blown away when white fades out, transitioning into subtle purple in a flash then all Mohembo bridge sightseers cue in the mantra ‘Blue, blue is coming.’’ All and sundry take out their phones and they capture this grandeur of a moment. 

The symmetrical image of the bridge as blue waves hit the water surface is a marvel to watch.

The sheer quadruple tusks with their outstretched girders loom majestically over the seemingly infinite Okavango River below, bonding siblings Mohembo West and Mohembo East who were for centuries in a timetabled affiliation.

Not only does the monumental bridge connect Mohembo siblings but all the villages beyond the Okavango River which include Gudigwa, Beetsha, Erestha, Gunotsoga, Seronga, Mokgacha, Mogotho, Ngarange, Sekondomboro, Xakao and Kauxwi.

The colossal 1.5km stretch Okavango River crossing landmark has become a tourist’s favourite attraction and rightfully so because it is interlinked to the Okavango Delta as the 1 000^th World Heritage Site.

In the words of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi the bridge can be christened, “It is my time to shine bridge, overseas come closer bridge, Mohembo or Okavango River Crossing bridge”. 

President Masisi says everyone is allowed to give the bridge any name of their choice notwithstanding that the official name of the bridge would be announced in future.

Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale, describes the bridge succinctly as ‘the Jewel of the Okavango because it radiates beautiful colours at night - it is a monument and it is a project.’

Paying  tribute to the bridge during its official opening, poet Mosweu Motlhoke aka Motsabakedi recited that Mohembo bridge was Botswana’s treasure tipped to change people’s lives. 

“Borogo jwa Mohembo o letlotlo la Batswana, borogo o tsile go fetola matshelo a batho ba Okavango ka ba tla etelana ba phuthologile.’’ ENDS