The horizon shimmered

Last week, Botswana announced that it has decided to go solo for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Bid after Namibia’s last minute withdrawal from the joint bid. Most people believed that Botswana will too, surrender due to the astronomical budget associated with hosting the football tournament.

However, the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare has maintained that the country is steadfastly committed to hosting Afcon despite the enormous budget the country will incur to host. But the big question is; Why are the authorities hellbent on going ahead with the bid that looks insurmountable? Though it looks like a lost course already, but surprisingly, the State considers it a bid worth pursuing.

According to the facilities audit carried out in March, Botswana needs over P4 billion for infrastructure development, including constructing a new stadium in a joint-bid with Namibia.

Following the withdrawal of Namibia, the costs are expected to escalate. Whilst the country’s desire to host international events is commendable, we believe that reasonableness has to be the guiding principle. Therefore, it must be justifiable that what we want to do will have return on investment and is within the country’s economic and financial means.

From the onset, there has been too many red flags pointing to this bid but the authorities chose to look the other away in disregard of those.

It is said that the facilities audit report was done at a cost of P2.227 million, with Botswana’s share at P1.336 million; first red flag. Then there is talk of a Bid book to be produced by Ruben Reddy Architects,which will cost P65.656 million.

All these amounts plus what is needed to upgrade and develop infrastructure is quite astronomical. As such, the burden was already too much for the country while Namibia was still on board because the country is already facing so many economical issues. There was also talk of trying to rope in another country to make it a three-country bid to share that burden.

On the other hand, there are so many competing and pressing national interests that could benefit from the amounts related to the bid.

As matters stand, the authorities are yet to show us any tangible evidence that there is value in hosting this tournament. There is no convincing evidence that we will get return on investment. Now why do authorities believe it would be easy to do it alone?

The issue of maintenance of facilities is another one. Bigger economies such as South Africa have shown that it is not easy to maintain facilities post the tournament. Botswana is already struggling to maintain existing, smaller facilities such as Masunga Sports Complex, how will it manage with even bigger facilities?

Quite clearly, these are the questions that the authorities must ponder on and decide wisely. It seems Botswana is not listening to the voice of reason because there is not even buy-in from the general public on the matter. But the big question is why do authorities want to press ahead with a bid that would gobble tax payers’ funds for a negligible exercise?

The sun had already offered its salutations as it attempted to wrestle winter’s cold grip from the throat of my hometown of Lobatse. Excitement filled the air as our celestial ball of gas stimulated the thermometer’s mercury. Warmed by my cup of tea, I was prepared for the adventurous journey ahead. While my hometown of Lobatse had always been my world, the prospect of venturing beyond its boundaries filled me with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Appropriately dressed to court winter’s fandango, I climbed into my father’s car.

We made our way to the South African border. After completing immigration formalities the road stretched out like an endless ribbon, winding its way through Africa’s rugged terrain. My gaze darted back and forth, taking in the breathtaking scenery that flashed by. The rugged hills gave way to vast plains, dotted with acacia trees and teeming with wildlife. Animals grazed contentedly, casting curious glances as the car sped past.

As we approached our destination, the excitement level mounted. Johannesburg, the city of gold, awaited. I had heard stories of its towering skyscrapers, bustling streets and glittering lights. At first, the horizon shimmered and then as we got closer, the lights arose from the approaching night. For a little boy from Lobatse, a little town that didn’t have any street lights, this was a whole new world.

Towering buildings loomed above, their glass facades reflecting the moonlight in a dazzling display. The streets were thronged with people of every description, their voices blending together in a vibrant tapestry of sound. My father manoeuvred his car expertly through the busy streets. We were making our way to Fordsburg. As we journeyed on, the landscape transitioned. The buildings took on a more rustic earthy feel, as did the population. South Africa needn’t have changed its name to the Rainbow Nation after the dismantling of Apartheid, it was always the Rainbow Nation. We slowed as we entered Fordsburg amidst the traffic and bustling streets. Luck smiled on us as we quickly found a parking spot. I held my father’s hand as we exited the car and quickly stopped in a dense crowd of people. We had apparently joined a line though I could not see much. At my tender age I remained somewhat vertically challenged. Despite being blinded by the forest of people, delightful aromas tickled my nose. Though my mother had packed food for our car journey, padkos if you will, I was still hungry.

There didn’t appear to be an orderly line of people, just a random swarm of humanity. Voices pierced the air, loudly relating food orders and random names uttered for collections. As a result, the human herd moved forward relatively quickly. We finally collected our food and made our way back to the car.

The folded newspaper that had been covering our food was quickly discarded, releasing a delectable aroma. My salivary glands immediately stood at attention in anticipation of the impending feast. A quick glance inside the grey cardboard container revealed a banquet of hot fresh fried hake fish, lounging on a massive bed of piping hot chips.

Thickly sliced juicy polony cuts were served on the side. Salt, brown malt vinegar and a crimson dusting of masala bathed everything. Steam erupted as I tore off a large piece of the fish and along with the masala infused chips, I crammed both into my waiting mouth. My waiting brain immediately dispatched dopamine, inducing unrestrained feel good vibes. While I’m pretty certain fried hake with masala chips and polony would not be a staple item on three times Michelin starred restaurant, Le Meurice Alaine Ducasse in Paris, the famed Parisien institution would have found it pretty difficult to have provided something tastier than my Solly’s Corner meal. It is these simple moments that remain fondly ledgered in one’s memory.

Happiness can be found in life’s elementary pleasures. Following our piquant and scrumptious meal, we proceeded on to Fontana Bakery. It is here that I was introduced into the decadent world of imported chocolate. My eyes widened as I took my first bite of the rich, velvety chocolate. It was unlike anything my young mouth had ever tasted before, a sweet and indulgent delight that sent shivers down my spine.

I savoured the taste, rolling it over my tongue and allowing its flavours to dance across my taste buds. And while I realise the meal was not the epitome great nutrition, it was delicious. But how important is proper nutrition for a young child? Good nutrition is crucial for a child’s overall development. According to the World Health Organisation, malnutrition affects around 149 million children globally. Adequate nutrition promotes optimal physical and cognitive growth, strengthening the immune system and reducing illness and disease. Proper nourishment supports brain development, enhancing learning abilities and academic performance. Additionally, children with nutritious diets have higher energy levels, enabling them to actively participate in physical activities and maintain a healthy weight.

Investing in good nutrition for children is vital to ensure their well-being, growth, and future prospects. The rest of the trip passed in a blur of excitement and wonder. I had soaked up the vibrant energy of the city and understood the magic of the world beyond my little hometown. Wonders beyond my imagination made me realise I had only scratched the surface of what life had to offer. The catalyst for a life of discovery.