MOTLHABANENG Life along menacing Motloutse River
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Baleseng Batlotleng
Location : MOTLHABANENG
Event : Feature
The Toyota Land Cruiser rolled lazily across the muddy road that passes through the tranquil village of Motlhabaneng. Motlhabaneng simply means a place of sand, ostensibly sand from the great Motloutse River. The slow drive allowed us glimpses of life along the river as the big sport utility vehicle (SUV) hugged many curves on its way across the sleepy village, en-route for the mighty Limpopo River.
Motlhabaneng forms part of the river villages that lie along the narrow fringe of land that forms the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe in the north and east and South Africa in the south.
The area consists mainly of privately owned farms offering safari tourism. The eastern section has been declared a game reserve - Northern Tuli Game Reserve.
Like all the other villages in this part of Bobirwa, the small community of Motlhabaneng has a rich history most of it having been captured many years ago in rock paintings. Artworks such as those found at the ancient Lepakwe Hill depict people`s daily lives, animal hunting scenes and mythological creatures. The paintings are undoubtedly of the San people.
Motlhabaneng lies in a lowveldt renowned for its high concentration of big wild animals such as the African elephant, zebra and wildebeest. And if you are not careful you could become dinner for crocodiles that lurk in the waters of the lazy stream that sloshes across the village towards Thune River.
Overhead, foreboding rain clouds gather. The air is thick with moisture and there is no doubt the skies will open up any moment. Curiously, the villagers go about their business as if oblivious of the weather. On closer observation though, we realise the villagers are not just going about their daily business.
Each movement by anyone you see is calculated. There is hurried movement on their legs as they walk to their destinations or their lands as they worked. These are a worried people.
That can be expected, for barely a week earlier the river had burst its banks and caused much havoc in the village. The ominous clouds above are a herald for all to brace for the worst. “Re ne ra welwa ke seru sa morwalela maloba e kane e ne e le nako ya boferabongwe mo mosong. Noka e le e tlodileng fale ya Morokodi e ne ya tlhatsa e sena go palelwa ke go tshela mo go e tona ya Motloutse ka e ne e setse e phephetha,” explains village elder, Elias Modeme.
His explanation is that Morokodi River, which passes through the village and is a tributary of the great Motloutse, burst its banks as its waters found Motloutse already overflowing.
Were the situation to repeat itself, there was no telling how much destruction it would have cause. This is mainly due to the fact that Motlhabaneng is in a lowveldt and sits right at the mouth of the Motloutse River.
“There is total panic, especially since we cannot predict whether it will rain heavily or not. The river gets full so quickly we find ourselves running in different directions to be safe. Our furniture and clothes get ruined by water flooding our homes,” says a distraught young woman who only identified herself as Kgomotso.
Motloutse River runs across Motlhabaneng and follows a 20Km stretch up north until it reaches the majestic Limpopo River at Talana farms. Motloutse is in fact a tributary of the Limpopo River and such is life in Motlhabaneng that grey skies are synonymous with misery that the rivers visit upon the residents. ENDS
Teaser:
Like all the other villages in this part of Bobirwa, the small community of Motlhabaneng has a rich history most of it having been captured many years ago in rock paintings. Artworks such as those found at the ancient Lepakwe Hill depict people`s daily lives, animal hunting scenes and mythological creatures. The paintings are undoubtedly of the San people...
