Editors Note

Let’s not be silly, there’s life after 2012

Yeh! It’s that time of the year again.

This is the common refrain whenever people embrace the festive season (Christmas and New Year).

In crude terms they call it the silly season.

According to Wikepedia, it is so called because it is the period lasting for a few summer months typified by the emergence of frivolous news stories in the media. The use of the term started by the end of the 19th Century.

In the United States the period is referred to prosaically as the slow news season. In Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa [and possibly Botswana], the silly season has come to refer to the Christmas/New Year festive period on account of the higher than usual number of social engagements where consumption of alcohol is typical.

Journalists know this very well that this is the period when newsrooms become dry. Hunting for news becomes a laborious task.

To some extent it is, because most of the sources (those we interview to release information) would have gone on holiday.

Most of them (sources) have this common refrain of saying “I am on leave I cannot comment” while some of those appointed to act on their behalf would refer the reporter to the substantive office bearer.

This is when frivolous news emerges in the news media because reporters have no one to confirm the half information they might have.

But are we doing ourselves justice as a nation, given the era of information technology where information is power?

Food for thought!

Notwithstanding, my main gripe with the silly season is how it is typified in this part of the world - Southern Africa.

It is during the silly season that most of us break from long hours of work to join friends and relatives in the countryside.

My concern here is that during these family reunions

as well as other social engagements, there is excessive alcohol consumption.

We tend to be silly so much that some of us endanger our lives through drunken driving.

Some are so caught up in the euphoria that they engage in behaviours they would, under normal circumstances or the day after, regret or begin to wonder if it was really them who did it.

Let us not be silly and chaw all the money and forget that there is school fees to pay next year.

There is life after 2012.

Therefore,

I plead with you dear reader to refrain from anything that you might regret afterwards.

Let us be responsible citizens guided by our ideals of democracy, development, unity and prosperity anchored on the national vision. 2016 is only a block away and let us all aspire to be there to see our country celebrate 50 years of independence.

Otherwise, 2012 has been a good year for us especially in the sporting arena.

We saw the Zebras make their maiden appearance at the Gabon/Equatorial Guinea hosted Africa Cup of Nations.

For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, Botswana collected its maiden medal (silver) through Nijel Amos who was also making his debut at the games.  

Thank you also for reading Kutlwano.

It’s been 50 years of existence and we always strive to make Kutlwano your favourite magazine. 

Editor (Print)

Thomas T. Nkhoma