- The Gazette samples what this means to an entertainer who was hardly ever home in Gabs and an essential service employee who lives alone in Mogoditshane.
GOSEGO MOTSUMI
COVID-19 has caused major disruptions in family life through extreme social distancing, closure of schools and the nationwide lockdown to prevent and control further infection and death from the rampant virus. Even so, family bonding that is hard to come by in the hustle and bustle of everyday life has a greater chance under the abominable disease.
In an interview with The Botswana Gazette, kwaito-kwasa star, and family man, Odirile “Vee Mampeezy” Sento, said he was making the most of the new reality by spending time with family and is enjoying playing games, watching TV and cooking with his wife and children. For Vee, as the entertainer is better known, this is a departure from his usual routine of work, traveling and making new music for his fans.
“Apart from the fact that my hustle is now suffering, my wife and kids are very happy that I am home all the time, which has not been the case in a while,” he said. “I have also pressed a reset button in my life because I now realize that I needed to rest. It gives me great joy to participate in family activities – helping out in the kitchen and having long conversations with my children.”
But there is Olefile Mokibe, an essential service worker who currently lives alone in Mogoditshane. Mokibe says he uses social media and telephone calls to have a sense of connection with his loved ones during these difficult times. “I am in a long-distance relationship with my partner who lives across town,” he explains. “I only leave the house to go to work and I have a virtual connection with my family. It has not been easy.”
These two examples typify the new reality for most people during these 28 days of lock down across Botswana. What has been your experience so far?