User:Nonofo Phenyo Madisa/sandbox

ALL THIS LITTLE THINGS…

BY NONOFO MADISA

There comes a time in the history of a nation when we have to pause and examine ourselves to see whether we are moving forward or not. Besides shortage of water, electricity, unemployment and diseases such as Hiv/Aids which threaten our existence on the African continent, there is this immoral and irresponsible behavior that threatens the moral fabric of our society, and I hope this article will stimulate the consciousness of all to begin to discuss and find solutions. When I was a girl growing up, abortion was considered a “taboo” and frowned upon. Now it is practiced with impunity and with no sense of shame and remorse…

Abortions are performed to avoid embarrassment for an unmarried girl. A career woman seeks an abortion simply because of inconvenience and temporary loss of work. A middle-aged couple seeks abortion because a child was not in their plans. Christians should be asked, “What does GOD say about this”? If we all accept the fact that the Bible, in both spirit and letter, is against taking human life, why do we look unconcerned when abortion is practiced indiscriminately? People seeking abortions sometimes claim the embryo is just like any other tissue of the body and not yet human, but this is not true. When does human life begin? It begins straight after fertilization.

But who are we to blame, do we blame the weak legislature of this country or do we blame the doctors who do not do their work. To think that these could go on unnoticed by either parents or anybody else until the situation is dire or when someone may already have been dead is overwhelmingly sad. This is why I put this piece out so you will be on the alert for that young woman near you and for the appropriate authorities to take another look at administration of drugs in our pharmacies as a matter of urgency and for the legislature on the charges of abortion which I see as murder of an innocent blood to be harsh. It may not solve the problem completely but some lives will be saved.

BE PROUD WOMEN

BY NONOFO P. MADISA

One wonders why some women stoop very low to crystal clear deception exhibited by some good-for-nothing men in our society. These men shower gifts on easily-moved, highly-convinced and totally depressed ladies just to lure them to bed, and have sex with them. Some ladies have been so gullible to such wiles that they have become blind to the truth, and cannot even identify men with good intentions who are poised to lead them to the altar. While some great-thinking ladies are creating bigger future ideas and finding greater means of making their dreams real in their lives so they will become very useful leaders and outstanding business tycoons in Botswana others sit down and keep waiting to be wooed by their prey for just something to eat and drink momentarily. They only know how to accept going to bed with men ready to bring to their doorsteps something to sustain them for few minutes. Shower on them well piled up Portuguese cuisine from a very expensive Portuguese restaurant which they do not even know and you get them on bed. Most of these ill-mannered ladies allow themselves to be used in the clear view of the public, under trees, in dilapidated kiosks, inside and at the side of abandoned vehicles, in bushes, inside uncompleted buildings, in cars parked somewhere at road side or in the forest, in schools, on office tables and chairs. But one thing is worth-noting. The true Motswana woman’s bedfellow should never be disgrace.Disgrace is her strongest enemy. Let us women be a woman worth fighting for, we should not let our weaknesses overrule our thinking ability, let’s be proud of what we have and try building on that without inviting good for nothing old man to help us.

MEN AND PARENTING

BY NONOFO P. MADISA

A day passes by with the hope that a father figure will pop up at home anytime. Tidimalo*, a mother of four lives with that hope that one day she gets married and has someone to take care of her children. “ I am not working so I struggle to come up with money to take care of my children, I do not really know what to do as life is very tough, my children are starving, they go to school without eating anything and come back again after school, to eat sour porridge without sugar,” said Tidimalo*. Men are deserting their responsibilities to take care of their children and this becomes a cycle in their lives and at a later stage they would also choose to dessert their own children too. In an interview with Pelonomi Leshobo, a principal clerk of court at Mochudi magistrate court said that from January to October 2013, 246 cases of maintenance were recorded. She also said that 301 cases were recorded in 2012 only. She said, “We give these men court orders to pay maintenance and failure to comply with a court order brings out a criminal case which will be dealt with by the police. She said most men involved in maintenance cases do not even know their own child and they do not show interest in raising their children. She further said, that most reasons these men give for failure to take of their children is they always blame third parties in a relationship. The advice I give onto men who dessert their children is they know about you and are watching. Remember I warned you, so please men start taking action love your children, financial support is not the only thing a child needs, a child needs to feel protected, they need to feel loved and they need care form their fathers. Still on this issue a few men who have taken action on this issue, you are what we need for a better Botswana.

IT’S TIME WE LET IT OUT

BY NONOFO P MADISA

Ordinarily, domestic violence is that kind of violence that happens between family members in the home or during relationship between couple or would-be-couples. Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering, and the opportunity to lead a productive life. The ultimate purpose of domestic violence is for one person to gain, maintain and control the life of the other person. Domestic violence is a criminal offence under the laws of Botswana. You have the right to report the conduct of your abuser to the police who will arrest him/her for prosecution at the courts of law. This will allow you to live in dignity.Sadly, domestic violence is condoned, accepted, tolerated and allowed to flourish with impunity; there are very few cases where such acts of actual or grievous bodily harm to the spouse get to the point where it is criminalised.This situation is unacceptable, it is unconscionable and deplorable, when a relationship gets physical it is probably irretrievable regardless of the hopes and aspirations for that relationship, if the so-called love is expressed in terror and violence it has become torment and regardless of the good intentions of counselors, religious adherence or traditional constraints; it is time for the vulnerable to extricate themselves from a developing disaster that could as this case shows, end up in murder.A spouse does not just murder their partner on the spur of the moment; it most definitely started from some very basic disagreement that escalated into intemperate verbal abuse and on to the first hit that lead to the beatings, the brutalization of the partner and it was just a matter of time before it resulted the murder.

A SINKING BOAT

BY NONOFO MADISA

Pardon me to wade into this thorny area of discussion that has lately startled all Batswana for various reasons. I feel obliged to share my views on homosexuality. I am doing so not only as a prolific writer with intense interest of Botswana at heart but also, as one who interacts with members of the Botswana social and scientific think tank. But if I may be excused a bit, I am not trying to shame anyone but I am simply trying to set facts straight. I am not a hater but just a writer who wants to air their opinion.

I very well understand by the physique, voice and behavior of certain persons that they are born gay. You will see a man who looks naturally feminine, behaves feminine, speaks feminine and has that natural tendency to cross-dress. This is also true with certain females who are tomboy with the additional sexual desire to go after woman. It is a situation of genetic disorder where a female is imprisoned in the body of man and the vice versa. Ditshwanelo is an organization which fights for human rights but I fail to understand why they have to huff and puff for homosexuals’ rights. Is homosexuality a right? From my understanding a right is an entitlement, for example we are all entitled to free education in Botswana, but as free as this education is, we tend not to be serious, how do we fail to define a right. What I am simply trying to point out is that there is no such thing as granting people their rights to be gays and lesbians.