SEX BOOSTER CRAZE
In the busy Gaborone Bus Rank, some Batswana are flocking to a herbalist for a popular sex booster that has become the talk of town, drawing long queues of eager buyers every day.
The Midweek Sun also visited the busy stall on Friday and found a steady stream of customers gathered. Both young and old were seen standing in queues, purchasing a range of traditional medicines on display.
The herbalist and traditional doctor from Ratholo, Phomolo Botsang (33), said the sex booster is the fastest-selling product at the stall, adding that she has so far received only positive feedback from her clients.
Explaining the product, she said the sex booster is intended to help men who struggle to achieve an erection, improve sexual stamina, and assist those who do not last long in bed to maintain performance for a longer period.
Botsang revealed that while some of the medicines she sells are sourced locally, she prefers to obtain certain herbs from outside the country. She added that before treating any of her customers, she first advises them to cleanse their systems.
“Besides the sex booster, I also have other herbs that people can use to make their partners more generous (pecho). I also sell herbs meant to attract good luck in different aspects of life, including a good luck combo even for gambling,” she said. She revealed that she also treats spiritual husband or wife problems, fibroids, yeast infections, and even assists children who are slow learners at school.
When asked about her opinion on pharmaceutical drugs, Botsang said that traditional medicine has no harmful effects, even when used for a long time, whereas pharmaceutical drugs can have negative impacts on the body, including the risk of addiction.
A 42-year-old Kgale View kombi driver revealed how he always notices people buying the herbs. “I always see men buying it after hours, some even tell me it helps them perform better at night. I do not use it myself, but it’s clearly popular,” he said. Speaking anonymously, a long-distance bus driver added, “Sometimes the queues block the road a bit, and passengers ask what’s going on. They are curious, even if they don’t plan to buy it,' he said.
Others noted that the buzz around the stall was real, with people coming from all over Gaborone just for the medicines. The sex booster had clearly become the main attraction at the bus rank.
Its popularity reflects the enduring role of traditional medicine in Botswana. Earlier in July 2025, Mogoditshane East MP Letlhogonolo Barongwang called for formal recognition of traditional doctors, noting that many communities continue to rely on indigenous healers for health and wellness.
He argued that modern health systems should not exclude these practitioners, stressing the importance of supporting and preserving traditional knowledge alongside Western medicine. While the herbalist said she has registered with the Dingaka Association, the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) recently cautioned the public against the use and sale of unregistered herbal medicines, particularly those circulating on streets and social media platforms.
In a statement, BoMRA’s Public Relations Officer, Israel Kgosidiile, said that some Batswana may turn to herbal or traditional remedies when conventional medicines are inaccessible, but such products must meet strict standards of safety, quality, and efficacy before being consumed.
Kgosidiile added that limited access to conventional medicines may lead some patients to try alternative options, including herbal remedies.
He warned that relying on unregulated products carries serious health risks and should not replace approved medical treatment. Despite their ‘natural’ label, herbal products are not automatically safe, and all imported herbal medicines must be registered or authorised by BoMRA before being sold or distributed within Botswana.