In America, labor strikes are quite common. In Botswana where even the hint of confrontation is avoided, they are a rarity and there has not been a major one since 1991. Nonetheless, we are on the verge of a country-wide labor strike beginning at 7:30 AM tomorrow morning. It is a typical conflict between workers and government management about wages and benefits. This should not in any way be confused with the uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia or Libya. Those countries are over 5000 miles away and have dictatorial governments. Botswana has both democratic elections and democratic freedoms. The cause of the strike is that the rank-and-file workers have not had a pay raise in over three years while prices have risen. The government says that diamond sales are down so they do not have the revenue to offer a pay raise now, but have offered to reconsider in September. This has not been satisfactory to the workers, so drivers, secretaries, teachers, nurses, border guards, and many other civil servants are scheduled to walk off the job. Most managers are considered essential and/or are not members of the union so they will remain in their offices.
Peace Corps has given us specific instructions not to take either side, to be seen around the village but not to be in our offices. An interesting twist to this strike is that it has a scheduled re-evaluation date in 10 days and then a “stop date” in three weeks. This is quite typical of Botswana civility and unlike American strikes which threaten to go on indefinitely until demands are met. We will see.
Travel plans
Kopo and I have come to decisions about our return travel strategy. As some of you know, we had planned to go to Egypt, but that obviously is not a good idea at this time. We have decided to go to Istanbul Turkey for four days when we depart Botswana June 20th. We have booked a hotel and tours of the Bosporus, the blue Mosque, and other sites in and around the city. In addition to simply being an interesting trip in a safe country, it will also be a celebration for our 40th wedding anniversary which occurs on June 27. We have our flight plans arranged, leaving Istanbul on the morning of June 25 and arriving in Denver at 10:00 that night.
Re-evaluation time
As we approach the two month mark left in our service here, I have found myself thinking a lot about the last two years, Africa, and Botswana. So with each post from now on, I want to start to identify “Some things I have learned.” and will begin with this post. Therefore, in no particular order......
SOME THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS
1.
1. Most African women dislike their hair. They find it not straight enough and unmanageable. Most spend a regular afternoon with frequency in the beauty parlor to remedy this situation. There is one whole aisle in the supermarket solely devoted to hair care products. Many women have a close-cropped cut, which is comfortable in the heat. A large percentage of them either wear wigs or plaits with extensions which look quite natural. It is not unusual to have women show up with three or four drastically different hairdos in any given year. A regular accompaniment is a brightly-colored scarf tied in a variety of ways. Men almost always have a buzz cut which varies from a virtual shave to a short length.
2.
2. In America we have three responses to a question – “Yes, Maybe, or No.” In Botswana, there are really only two answers and the meanings are different. “Yes” means “Maybe” and “Maybe” means “No.” To directly respond to a question with a “No” is almost never done. Until you understand the meanings of the words as they are used here, it appears that Africans don’t tell the truth. This is not true, as they just don’t want to offend you.
2. In America we have three responses to a question – “Yes, Maybe, or No.” In Botswana, there are really only two answers and the meanings are different. “Yes” means “Maybe” and “Maybe” means “No.” To directly respond to a question with a “No” is almost never done. Until you understand the meanings of the words as they are used here, it appears that Africans don’t tell the truth. This is not true, as they just don’t want to offend you.
3.
3. The definition of “Youth” in Botswana is from age 15 to age 29. This group is great fun to work with as they are enthusiastic, willing to learn, and interested in almost everything.
3. The definition of “Youth” in Botswana is from age 15 to age 29. This group is great fun to work with as they are enthusiastic, willing to learn, and interested in almost everything.
4.
4.There are a great many chess players in Botswana (It is the single largest extra-curricular club in Kopo’s school). Almost no one though, has heard of checkers, Chinese checkers, Scrabble, Concentration or other games that are second nature to most American children. When taught, they pick up the games rapidly and play with great relish.
4.There are a great many chess players in Botswana (It is the single largest extra-curricular club in Kopo’s school). Almost no one though, has heard of checkers, Chinese checkers, Scrabble, Concentration or other games that are second nature to most American children. When taught, they pick up the games rapidly and play with great relish.
5.
5.Transportation is a major hassle for Peace Corps service. Until we came to Africa, it was hard to think about how much a convenience it is to have a car. Just imagine carrying all your groceries, any purchases you make, any equipment you need for a presentation, while walking everywhere, potentially in the rain or the heat. Oh yeah I just did. Ugh!
5.Transportation is a major hassle for Peace Corps service. Until we came to Africa, it was hard to think about how much a convenience it is to have a car. Just imagine carrying all your groceries, any purchases you make, any equipment you need for a presentation, while walking everywhere, potentially in the rain or the heat. Oh yeah I just did. Ugh!
6.
6.Drivers here feel they own the road and things such as pedestrian rights or bicyclist safety is non-existent. Cars will maintain their position in the road regardless of whether you are walking along the edge or trying to cycle. Most everyone drives too fast or too slow. Traffic accidents are unfortunately common. Two relatives of my office mates as well as two other colleagues in our work complex have been involved in walking or driving collisions in just the last 6 months alone.
6.Drivers here feel they own the road and things such as pedestrian rights or bicyclist safety is non-existent. Cars will maintain their position in the road regardless of whether you are walking along the edge or trying to cycle. Most everyone drives too fast or too slow. Traffic accidents are unfortunately common. Two relatives of my office mates as well as two other colleagues in our work complex have been involved in walking or driving collisions in just the last 6 months alone.
7.
7.Despite our American proclivity to refrigerate any kind of left over, it has become quite clear that many foods do not spoil if they are left out on a kitchen counter or on the stove. Particularly when we were staying with our Botswana host family, we ate virtually every combination of meat, vegetables, pasta, and other foods which had stayed out in the open air overnight and we never got sick.
7.Despite our American proclivity to refrigerate any kind of left over, it has become quite clear that many foods do not spoil if they are left out on a kitchen counter or on the stove. Particularly when we were staying with our Botswana host family, we ate virtually every combination of meat, vegetables, pasta, and other foods which had stayed out in the open air overnight and we never got sick.
8.
8.The Batswana are always well dressed. Teachers, office workers and store clerks are always dressed in skirts blouses and high heels for the women. Men have polished shoes, and a collared shirt often with a tie. Clothes are spotless and well pressed. Men’s shoes are of a particular style with long pointed tips which extend far beyond the end of the toes.
8.The Batswana are always well dressed. Teachers, office workers and store clerks are always dressed in skirts blouses and high heels for the women. Men have polished shoes, and a collared shirt often with a tie. Clothes are spotless and well pressed. Men’s shoes are of a particular style with long pointed tips which extend far beyond the end of the toes.
9.
9.The air is very clear and the sky is bright blue almost all the time. There is virtually no air pollution although dust blows frequently during the windy season.
9.The air is very clear and the sky is bright blue almost all the time. There is virtually no air pollution although dust blows frequently during the windy season.
10.
10.It is very pleasant to be respected for one’s age and be free of America’s necessity to appear young.
10.It is very pleasant to be respected for one’s age and be free of America’s necessity to appear young.
Kgosi
No comments:
Post a Comment