THE UPS AND DOWNS OF 2022
Francistowners look back on the year that was
As we enter December and the curtain begins to close on 2022, while there is plenty of fun and festivities to be had, it is also a time for quiet reflection.
The Voice’s KITSO RAMONO ventured out onto the streets of Francistown to get the peoples’ experience on the year that was.
Did dreams come true, were aspirations shattered and were resolutions kept? Let’s find out…
WAZHA TSHIAMO (48)
When the year began, I set two goals for myself. One was to purchase livestock for my cattlepost in Surojane, near Matsitama, but I was unable to do so due to financial constraints. Another commitment I made for myself was to buy a car because I was weary of walking. By God’s grace, I was able to do so.
Overall, I consider 2022 to be a bad year for me - even worse than the Covid-19 years - because I discovered that my wife, whom I have been married to since 2014, was cheating on me with another man. That didn’t sit well with me!
TSHEPISO TSHIAMO (34)
My new year’s resolution for 2022 was to quit my work as a consultant and build a business that could sustain me. With God’s guidance, I was able to launch my catering company, which also sells cookwear. Another resolution I made was to get married and acquire my driver’s li
cence. As we speak, I’m preparing for my wedding, which is slated for next year. As for the licence (chuckles), I’m still trying to get one. Overall, I had a terrific year since I was able to achieve my major objective of being self-employed and owning a business.
OTTILIA MBOKO (52)
I had hoped to have erected my plot in Mabudzani by the end of the year - but,
due to a lack of funds, that was not possible. Things have changed; people don’t have money, as evidenced by the fact that no one is buying anything (pointing to her vegetable stock on the table). I’m not sure if Covid is still the main issue! For the time being, we’re selling for survival rather than to improve our lives.
ODUETSE RAMMUSI (39)
My objective for this year was to quit my job and start my dream business: chicken farming. Unfortunately, I was unable to do so since I could not find a farm to house me; I will try again next year. Another resolution I had was to create a store selling women’s cosmetics, but financial constraints made this impossible.
Personally, 2022 was the most difficult year for me because I failed to keep even one of my resolutions.
CHELUDO MANAKO (28)
This year was truly the worst for me. I am now in my fourth year as a jobless graduate; I graduated in 2018 and have been looking for work ever since. I also wanted to send my three-year-old daughter to pre-school, but I could not owing to a lack of cash, which was my main concern. I had even promised myself that this year I would pay off all of my bills, but it didn’t happen. This year, the only thing I accomplished was to transfer from my home village of Gambule to the city.
TSHOKOLO MONKOLE (22)
My aim for the year 2022 was to save a tiny percentage of my pay and build a two-roomed house on my parents’ land in Mabesekwa, which I did not complete due to the high cost of living. This was a challenging year for me because I did not do anything for myself; I was only working for survival. I hope that next year will be better.