A RE CHENCHENG

Setswana says ina lebe seromo ( meaning a name foretells fate) and hopefully those who named their team “A re Chencheng” understand exactly what they are asking for. Years ago, the Botswana Football Association nicknamed its side “A Basimane ba Kgwathe” ( whip the boys) ahead of a continental championship that was held in Botswana.

The performance of that team would result in the national football team being nicknamed “The Whipping Boys of Africa” by Africa. In 2019, the gentleman who is rumoured to have coached A re Chencheng called Batswana (“Masisi o a go bitsa”) and they came. Ahead of another general election, he gives his team a name that recommends change. The 2019 experience says that Botswana voters do what this coach wants them to do. If he asks them to change the government, it is likely they will do as he wishes.