Tswana Research Articles

The 19th-century missionary encounters with the Batswana people in South Africa: An intersectional-decolonial approach

The 19th-century missionary encounters with the Batswana people in South Africa: An intersectional-decolonial approach

Dikopelo ritual and performance: The embodiment of place

Batswana (People of Botswana) traditionally celebrate the end of seasons with dikopelo musical performances. This paper discusses Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela’s dikopelo festive celebrations, an annual return of choirs to their performance grounds through the duality of home and away. The author, a performer, interrogates through participant observation in four performances from December 2015 to January 2019, the seventeen-hour performance from midnight until the following day at sunset. Her experience is conceptually framed on Van Manen’s four lifeworld existentials of lived space (grounds), lived body (performs), lived time (seventeen hours) and lived human relations (performers, family, supporters). In conclusion, she takes a reflexive position of the subjectivity of her experience in relation to her fellow performers’; the blurred boundaries of her academic/performer roles and fieldwork/post-fieldwork spaces as her dikopelo lived experience is beyond this study’s timeframe. Her reality as an ethnographer at home, is the constant negotiation of her multiple unending identities.

Well-Being, Loneliness, and Quality of Relationships Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Botswana

This paper explored the determinants of well-being, quality of relationships (QOR), and loneliness among people of Botswana before and during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. It also examined whether there were significant differences between participants’ well-being, loneliness, and QOR before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors associated with the well-being, loneliness, and QOR of the Botswana population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were also explored. A cross-sectional design was used to collect information on the three variables before and during the COVID-19 pandemic using online platforms. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants ( N = 422) using the WHO-5, Three-Item Loneliness Scale, and the Relationship Quality Index (RQI). Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate mixed-effects linear models. Age, relationship status, concern about own and family health, difficulty switching on and off media reporting on COVID, change in lifestyle, participation in sports, and resting were significantly associated with well-being ( p < .001) and loneliness ( p < .05). Sleep was associated with QOR. There were significant differences in the well-being, QOR, and loneliness scores before COVID-19 conditions and during COVID-19 conditions. Stakeholders should take cognizance of the impact of predictor variables on well-being and loneliness to mitigate the impact of current and future pandemics.

Balancing the Drinking Act: A Grounded Theory of Youth Drinking, Policy and COVID-19 in Botswana

Stakeholder and consumer participation is generally seen as a critical part of effective alcohol policy making as it has a direct impact on policy implementation. In the advent of COVID-19, the views and experiences of stakeholders and consumers were integral to how countries responded to the virus. The involvement of alcohol stakeholders and consumers raises critical questions about policy making practices. Using Grounded Theory (GT) methods amongst 20 drinkers and six alcohol stakeholders, I examined the views and experiences of stakeholders and alcohol consumers in Botswana during COVID-19. I identified two interrelated core categories of Balancing the Drinking Act and Problematic Youth Drinking that were prominent as the country dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. First, I argue that balancing the drinking act suggests the need for government to balance alcohol regulation with the needs of drinkers. Second, I highlight that problematic youth drinking relates to an emerging yet consistent belief that young people in Botswana are collectively responsible for alcohol “problems.” These key themes center consumer and stakeholder participation in alcohol policy development. Moreover, the current analysis demonstrates the interplay between alcohol use and prohibition during COVID-19, and how it might be mediated by cultural scripts used by consumers and stakeholders in Botswana.

Medicinal Plant Preparations Administered by Botswana Traditional Health Practitioners for Treatment of Worm Infections Show Anthelmintic Activities.

Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths are some of the priority neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) targeted for elimination by the World Health Organization (WHO). They are prevalent in Botswana and although Botswana has begun mass drug administration with the hope of eliminating soil-transmitted helminths as a public health problem, the prevalence of schistosomiasis does not meet the threshold required to warrant large-scale interventions. Although Botswana has a modern healthcare system, many people in Botswana rely on traditional medicine to treat worm infections and schistosomiasis. In this study, ten plant species used by traditional health practitioners against worm infections were collected and tested against Ancylostoma ceylanicum (zoonotic hookworm), Heligmosomoides polygyrus (roundworm of rodents), Necator americanus (New World hookworm), Schistosoma mansoni (blood fluke) [adult and newly transformed schistosomula (NTS)], Strongyloides ratti (threadworm) and Trichuris muris (nematode parasite of mice) in vitro. Extracts of two plants, Laphangium luteoalbum and Commiphora pyaracanthoides, displayed promising anthelmintic activity against NTS and adult S. mansoni, respectively. L. luteoalbum displayed 85.4% activity at 1 μg/mL against NTS, while C. pyracanthoides displayed 78.5% activity against adult S. mansoni at 10 μg/mL.

Resilience: Key Factors Associated With Resilience of Older People in Botswana

This study aims to determine key factors that predict resilience in older people. A cross-sectional design and quantitative methods were used for this study. Four districts were selected in Botswana using cluster random sampling. Data on resilience from 378 older adults aged 60 years+ [Mean Age ( SD) = 71.1(9.0)] was collected using snowballing technique. Data on socio-demographics, protective and risk factors were also collected from urban and rural areas. CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) analysis was used to predict the strengths of the relationships among resilience and all predictor variables because the data were skewed. Five major predictor variables reached significance to be included in the model: depression, QOL, social impairment, education, and whether participants paid for services or accessed free services, along with high self-esteem ( p < .001), security, and self-efficacy ( p < .05). The presence of depression symptoms (χ2 = 23.7, p = .001, df = 1) and self-esteem (χ2 = 39.6, p < .001) had the greatest influence on resilience. Older people with no depression symptoms but had low QOL still had social impairment (χ2 = 3.9, p < .05). Older people with no depression symptoms had moderate to high QOL but had low resilience as a result of paying for services (χ2 = 7.4, p < .02). Both protective and risk factors had a significant influence on resilience. Knowledge about the predictors of resilience in older people may assist stakeholders devise effective intervention, especially now with COVID-19 ravaging the country. Additionally, policies and programs inclined to assist older people may be established and implemented.

Nickname creation through shortening Setswana personal names

This article discusses the changing patterns of nickname formation among the Batswana people. It argues that traditionally, Setswana nicknames were formed in line with Setswana phonotactics. However, with the influence of English, which has official status in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, Setswana nicknames are now formed by shortening them in line with English phonotactics. The data for this study were collected from social media. Eight different strategies of nickname formation which all follow English phonotactics are identified and discussed. The study uses a Zipfian hypothesis to explain the shortening of Setswana names. It argues that names are shortened to create nicknames because of their frequency of usage in line with the Zipfian law of abbreviation.

Quality of Life of Older People in Botswana

This article discusses social determinants of health that influence quality of life (QOL) of older people in Botswana and suggests appropriate interventions. A cross-sectional study stratified by district was used to collect information on the elderly (N = 378). Data were collected from: demographics, individual factors (e.g., self-esteem), health-related factors (e.g., self-perceived health), clinical variables (e.g., social dysfunction), environmental assets (e.g., leisure) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). The analyses showed that income earned, self-efficacy and self-esteem, access to health services, self-perceived health, and chronic disease condition were associated with QOL. Social dysfunction and environmental assets (leisure, secure and healthy physical environments) were also significantly associated with QOL The results confirm that QOL is compromised by specific key factors. Thus, eradicating poverty, provision of services and a comfortable environment, promoting positive emotions (e.g., self-efficacy), and changing perceptions about self-rated health and self-rated QOL may enhance QOL among older people. The study has implications for policy, practice and further research.

High-risk behaviors and factors for HIV and sexually transmitted infections among transgender people in Gaborone, Botswana: results from a national survey.

Introductionkey populations and transgender people in particular are at a high risk of HIV infection. However, very little is known about risk behaviors of transgender people in Botswana. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of high-risk behaviors for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among transgender people in Botswana.Methodsdata from the Botswana 2017 Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey of HIV/STIs among select key populations (BBSS-2) was used. The cross sectional survey documented behavioral risk factors for these infections. This paper only focused on the analysis of the transgender data. Descriptive analysis was done with IBM Statistical Software for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.Resultsthere were 56 transgender people identified of which 12 (21.4%) were transgender women. The median age was 24 (interquartile range (IQR) 22-28). Among transgender women, 2 (16.7%) reported concurrent sexual partners and 9 (75%) reported condom use at last intercourse. However, only 7 (58.3%) reported consistent lubricant use. About 45% of the respondents did not know the HIV status of their last male partner. Only one of the transgender women reported intercourse with at least 1 female in the last month. About a third reported that they had STI symptoms in the past year. Alcohol use was reported in 50% of respondents while 83% had disclosed gender identity and had been accepted by their families. However, 25% reported discrimination by a healthcare worker.Conclusionthe high-risk behaviors were frequent among transgender women. This study underlines the need for sustained efforts to reach this key population.

The roots of xenophobia in 19th century imperialism

The contribution provides an explanation of inner-African xenophobia as being rooted in the countermovements to 19th century imperialism. Distinctive property rights constituted different modes of production and notions of a common society among Basotho and Tswana people on the one hand and Trekboers on the other, which made them resist the incorporation into an imperial world market by the British Empire. Although the moderate expansive mode of Basotho and Batswana seemed more compatible with the free market approach of the Britons than the exclusive property concept of the Trekboer, the political result was different. We argue that finally the British expansion without conquest could be allied with the Trekboer conquest without integration due to the invention of SACU as the first customs union of the world, which began as Customs Union Convention in 1889. It allowed for a continuation of a pre-Enlightenment exclusionary property right that fuels xenophobia until today.

Why is a gradual transition to Botswana’s languages in higher education necessary? How can it be achieved?

Where other authors have argued for the need for using indigenous languages in education in Botswana on human rights or efficiency grounds, this article argues for this need for economic reasons, in line with the country’s vision for 2036. Further increases in enrolment in higher education will mean that the country’s education system is stretched beyond its capacities, as shown by benchmarking Botswana’s educational system against that of Estonia’s. A transition towards indigenous languages is practical by using the proposed concepts of discerned and designed languages. However, it should be based on five key principles, which are introduced in the article. Based on a new discussion of ease and difficulty of language learning, these principles are applied to the Botswanan situation. The article concludes that Setswana could be developed as a medium of instruction for the great majority of people in Botswana, but that a special position is justified for the Khoisan languages. The article ends by suggesting a number of concrete steps that should be taken over the coming years in order to make such a transition a practical possibility.

Gender Representations of Females in Batswana Music: “Cultural” Sexism, Aesthetic Principles and Conflict of Social Values in Musical Performance Costuming

This article discusses the outcome of a study that investigated a Batswana cultural practice in the musical arts through performance costuming for females. The study focused on the musical practice and showed how it could be understood to promote sexism and patriarchal notions. The Batswana people, or Tswana for short, are located in the North West province of South Africa. The discourse in the article is presented against the backdrop of benevolent sexism (BS) and patriarchal theories. Sexism constructions in cultural and musical costume practices in the music of the Batswana people have not received any known research attention. The extant research centres on issues other than the subtle use of costumes as a cultural weapon of sexism against females in patriarchal communities. These issues include gender responsibilities and dominations, sexual dominations, patriarchal control, and so on. The current article illuminates the aesthetic principles of musical performance costuming as well as what the authors describe as “cultural” sexism underlying the musical practice, to assess its connection to BS and patriarchal practices of Batswana people. The authors also argue a possible connection of the cultural practice to notions which conflict with the intentions of the musical arts practice. Using field and participant observations, interviews, secondary sources and descriptive content analysis methods, the authors reveal notions of cultural sexism and patriarchal domination through the costumes worn by females in the Batswana music culture.

Socioeconomic inequalities and determinants of health care utilization in Botswana: a decomposition analysis

In Botswana, healthcare services are more accessible to the more affluent, while healthcare benefits for the poor remain limited. The main aim of this study was to assess socioeconomic inequalities in health care utilization in Botswana. Using a multistage cross sectional design, 1178 male and female respondents aged 15 years and above were interviewed across three cities and towns, 15 urban villages and 15 rural villages. Health care utilization was measured using four indicators: health care needed, health care received, seeking health care for NCDs and use of health facilities. Multivariate analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, while decomposition of inequalities was carried out using ADePT (version 6). All comparisons were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Concentration indices show that poor people did not seek health care when sick (CI = −0.0084), did not receive health care when they needed it (CI = –0.0175) and often used public health facilities (CI = –0.0531). On the other hand, seeking health care for NCDs was slightly concentrated among the non-poor (CI = 0.0465). All observed inequalities were small and overlapped with the line of inequality except for receiving health care in public health facilities. Education and wealth status were key contributing factors to inequalities for all health care utilization indicators. Findings from this study indicate the need for improvements in education and economic well-being of poor people in Botswana in order to close the inequality gap for health care utilization.

Anxiety and somatization: prevalence and correlates of mental health in older people (60+ years) in Botswana

Objective This study explored key factors that influence mental health in older people in Botswana. The prevalence of anxiety and somatization in the elderly population was also calculated. Methods A cross-sectional study stratified by district was done to collect information on the elderly (N = 378; age: M = 71.8, SD = 9.1). The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) measures were used to collect data on the outcome variables (somatization and anxiety). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the associations among the predictor variables and each of the outcome variables. Results The prevalence of anxiety and somatization in older people was 18.6% and 25.3%. The correlates significantly associated with somatization in the final model after adjusting for all influencing factors were: area of residence (rural) (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4–5), self-perceived health, non-medication use, self-esteem, and mastery. With regards to anxiety, non-medication use (OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0–0.9), lack of social support, low self-esteem (OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.6 − 9.4), and poor QOL (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.2–0.9) were significantly associated with anxiety. Conclusions Eradicating poverty, provision of services, promoting positive emotions, changing health perceptions and QOL may augment mental health in older people.

Cultural Specific Attitudes of Batswana People Towards Adoption

The aim of this study was to describe the cultural attitude of Batswana people towards adoption. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and is descriptive in nature. It followed a quantitative approach and reached 83 respondents representative of designated organisations rendering services to adoptive parents in Ikageng, Potchefstroom. A questionnaire containing closed-ended questions was used. D emographical information was included to test the construct validity on different variables, namely the birthparent, adoptive parent and the adopted child. The findings of the study indicated that the Batswana community have a positive attitude towards adoption

สถาบันจารีตกับการเปลี่ยนผ่านสู่รัฐเอกราชของบอตสวานา ค.ศ.1966 (Tradition Institutions and Transition to the Independent State of Botswana, 1966)

Thai Abstract: ชาวสวานาปกครองบอตสวานามายาวนาน โดยใชจารตทางการปกครองผาน 2 สถาบนหลกคอ หวหนาเผา และทประชมเผา ตอมา แมวาบอตสวานาจะกลายเปนรฐในอารกขาขององกฤษ แตชาวสวานายงสามารถรกษาวฒนธรรมทางการเมองดง เดมไวได จนกระทง มการรางรฐธรรมนญเพอเตรยมความพรอมสการเปนเอกราชในป 1966 จงมการลดอานาจและบทบาทของสถาบนแบบจารตลงเพอใหสอดคลองกบรปแบบรฐสมยใหม อยางไรกตาม สถาบนจารตยงคงมบทบาทในสงคมบอตสวานาในลกษณะทเปลยนแปลงไปจากอดต English Abstract: The Tswana people ruled Botswana for a long time. By using official rule through 2 main institutions: the chief and the meeting. Later, although Botswana would become a British protectorate, Tswana still managed to maintain the traditional political culture until the constitution was drafted to prepare for independence in 1966, thus reducing power and role of a traditional institution to be in line with the modern state style. However, traditional institutions still have a role in the Botswana society in a manner that has changed.

HIV prevalence and related behaviours of older people in Botswana — secondary analysis of the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS) IV

The focus of HIV interventions in Botswana, a country with the second highest prevalence of HIV in the world, remains targeted at those aged 15–49 years despite a growing cohort of older people living with the disease — driven largely by the successful roll-out of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Primarily utilising the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey IV, we set out to examine HIV related characteristics and behaviours of this often ignored older cohort (50–64 years) relative to younger (25–49 years) adults. Analysis revealed that more than 80% of older people living with HIV were on ART. HIV prevalence among this older cohort was 24.6% in 2013 compared to 35.1% among the younger cohort, p < 0.0001. Prevalence in older adults was higher among older males (27.8%) than females (21.9%), p = 0.02. Furthermore, 58.9% of older adults acknowledged being sexually active, with 59.0% of these admitting to inconsistent condom use during sexual intercourse. In addition to this low condom usage, older men (6.0%) were significantly more likely to be unaware of their HIV-positive status than older women (3.0%), p = 0.002. While HIV prevalence showed a dramatic increase among older men over time (17.2% in 2004, to 23.4% in 2008, to 27.8% in 2013), the trend was flatter among older women (16.3% in 2004, to 22.4% in 2008, to 21.9% in 2013). These trends are likely attributable to a large increase in ART coverage and uptake. Going forward, more targeted interventions acknowledging the ageing epidemic are important to consider.

Edutainment and HIV/AIDS in Botswana: A Content Analytical Discourse on ‘Morwalela’ Drama Series

The Joint United Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS Data 2017) facts states that 360, 000 people out of a population of over two million people in Botswana are affected with HIV/AIDS (including women and children), with 3,900 deaths related to AIDS alone. Despite the fact that antiretroviral medications are being distributed freely to all the people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana, the country is still one of the countries greatly affected by HIV/AIDS in the world. This study, therefore examined the role of the drama series ‘Morwalela’ (as a complimentary development strategy), in addition to the HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment strategies and campaign in Botswana. The theories underpinning this study were development media theory and framing theory. The method adopted for data gathering was content analysis, which was a qualitative method of research. Purposive sampling method (which is a non-probability sampling technique) was used for the selection of the drama series for this study. This study was conducted by examining various themes (both positive and negative), the direction of media frames, as well as other factors such as the recurring comments, and the frequency of viewership. Finding showed that over 75, 000 people worldwide had viewed the ‘Morwalela’ drama series on YouTube. Also, the theme of ‘Love’ had the highest percentage which was 13%, from 84 scenes, followed by the positive theme of ‘Family’ with 10.7%. Tolerance was the lowest with 1.2%. Infidelity was the highest negative theme with 11.9%. Furthermore, the result showed that 26.7% of the frames in the movies, out of 30 frames focused on HIV/AIDS discussions and coping mechanisms of HIV/AIDS victims. It was recommended that the government of other South African countries-like Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia should focus more on partnerships with both governmental and non-governmental organisations for curbing the danger of HIV/AIDS.

Evaluation of the influence of green extraction solvents on the cytotoxic activities of Crinum (Amaryllidaeae) alkaloid extracts using in-vitro-in-silico approach

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe traditional use of Amaryllidaceae plants to treat many disease have been known for a very long period of time. The chemical analysis of these plants has yielded a diversity of alkaloids with analgesic, anticholinergic, antitumor and antiviral activities. Crinum bulbispermum (Burm.f.) Milne-Redh. & Schweick in particular has been used by Zulu, Sotho and Tswana people to treat tumors as a form of chemotherapy, while in Madagascar, Crinum powellii Baker Handb. was used in the treatment of abscesses and tumors. Many of the alkaloids spawned by genus Crinum will surely take part in the production of anticancer drugs but their further clinical development is restricted by their limited commercial availability. An emerging area of research is the establishment of green extraction techniques of different targeted compounds. Aim of the studyOur comparative study has investigated the possibility of getting improved biological responses by changing extraction solvent to a better and greener one. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxic activity of Crinum powellii and Crinum bulbispermum bulbs, when extracted by different green solvents. Materials and methodsThe green solvents Genapol X-80 (a surfactant-aided extraction), DES-3 (Choline chloride: fructose 5:2) mixture (a natural deep eutectic solvent) and purified distilled water were used for extraction of the bulbs. Extracts were tested against two cell lines HEPG-2 and HCT 116, with doxorubicin as a positive reference. Molecular docking studies were carried out to illustrate binding orientations of the alkaloids in the active site of several molecular targets for treatment of hepatic and colorectal cancer. ResultsDES aided extraction showed highest cytotoxicity against the two cell lines, followed by surfactant aided extracts and finally aqueous extracts. There is an obvious relationship between alkaloidal content and antiproliferative potency of extracts. Multivariate statistical analyses were performed to aid the prediction of the alkaloids responsible for the activity. The alkaloid crinine showed high correlation coefficient value against HCT colon cancer cell line in the orthogonal projection to latent structures (OPLS) model, suggesting that it could operate with a selective mode of action on this cell line. In addition, the alkaloid lycorine had almost no correlation to anti-proliferative activity against HCT colon cancer cells. Molecular docking studies confirmed the same conclusions. ConclusionHerein, it was demonstrated that natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) components and surfactant solutions could be chosen to enhance biological activity of extracts prepared.

Basarwa in Botswana: The Role of Perceptions and Name Giving by other Population Groups in Enduring Poverty

This article is concerned with the way in which perceptions and name giving contribute to the socio-economic circumstances of a named group. The understanding of the Basarwa as a people in Botswana as well as how they have been perceived in history by “new invaders”—including Christians—is used as an example. This article explores the influence of the attitudes or perceptions of “invaders” on the original inhabitants of the sub-continent. It is difficult to address the topic of the Basarwa with any amount of certainty due to insufficient records, more particularly due to lack of any records written from the perspective of the Basarwa themselves. This article shows that perceptions about the Basarwa as well as the names given to them by “invaders” play a defining role in the enduring poverty of the Basarwa people in Botswana.