THE LOST CHILDREN
In the proximity of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) lies Kgaphamadi, an area where time seems to have stood still, untouched by modern developments in nearby Gaborone North suburbs.
Despite its proximity to an urban hub, Kgaphamadi remains undeveloped, its landscape dominated by dense, untamed bushland.
Modest homes made of corrugated iron sheets dot the area, a stark reflection of the poverty that defines the community.
Basic infrastructure, such as tarred roads, water, electricity, and reliable transport, is non-existent, leaving residents struggling daily to make ends meet.
For the children of Kgaphamadi, life is an uphill battle. Their future hangs in the balance as they endure a gruelling 26-kilometre journey to the nearest Boitumelo Primary School in Sebele and Motswedi Junior Secondary School in Ledumang.
With no tarred roads and limited transportation, they trudge along the dusty gravel paths every day and it is in these routes that predators - both in animal and human form - wait in the shadows for them.
Many leave home as early as 3am, walking for hours in the dark, only to arrive at school late, tired, and hungry.
“The students from Kgaphamadi face immense challenges,” Mpho Lesego, the Head of Motswedi Junior Secondary School, says.
“They rely on lifts from strangers to get to school, exposing themselves to danger. The risks of rape, abduction, and exploitation are high, and parents often have no idea whose cars their children are boarding.”
Lesego notes that while the children display intelligence and potential, the challenges they face have led to declining attendance rates and low academic performance.
“Some arrive at school having not eaten, leaving them too weak to concentrate. Others simply lose hope along the way, seeing no point in pursuing an education under such circumstances.”
The hardships do not end there. Teenage pregnancies are alarmingly common in Kgaphamadi, and many girls drop out of school as a result. Last year, four students dropped out of school.
“We’ve seen an increase in early pregnancies,” Lesego continues. “Some girls are lured into relationships with older men due to the pressure of their circumstances.
“Others engage in drug use, further derailing their future. When we reach out to parents, some are uncooperative or outright refuse to address the issue.”
Kwante Kwante, the Gaborone Region Chief Education Officer, echoes these concerns.
“The situation in Kgaphamadi is deeply troubling,” he says. “We have tried to help by providing transportation during exam periods, using government vehicles to ensure students can sit for their finals.
“However, this is not enough. The long-term solution lies in creating permanent infrastructure and reliable transport systems.”
Parents in the community are equally distressed but often feel powerless to change their circumstances.
Rosa Tshosa, a 69-year-old granny, admits that while some parents try their best, the lack of resources makes it nearly impossible to arrange proper transport for their children.
“We wake them up at 3am in the morning, but even then, they arrive late. Many parents can’t afford the costs of private transportation,” she explains.
In the past, a group of parents pooled resources to hire a kombi for students’ transport, but the initiative fell apart when they could no longer afford to contribute to fuel costs.
“We need the government to step in,” Botsalano Masisi, another concerned parent says. “We simply don’t have the means to address these problems on our own.”
The situation is further exacerbated by the bushy terrain of Kgaphamadi, which poses significant safety risks.
Area Councillor Austin Abraham highlights these dangers: “There have been reports of suspicious activity in the area, including a man allegedly seen lurking in the bushes naked.
“Parents are terrified for their children, but many do not report these incidents to the police. We need to change this culture of silence to make Kgaphamadi a safe environment for raising children.”
The Gaborone Deputy Town Clerk for Operations, Mosidi Batsalelwang, acknowledges the government’s responsibility to intervene.
She notes that Kgaphamadi was previously under Kweneng District and it is only now that plans are underway to incorporate them into Gaborone District.
“We are working to address their urgent needs, especially when it comes to children’s issues. No child should have to walk such long distances or attend school without proper uniforms and meals,” she says.
Meanwhile, law enforcement officers face challenges in addressing the issues in Kgaphamadi.
Assistant Superintendent Solomon Makola of the Gaborone North Police Post reports that crime statistics for the area are surprisingly low, on paper.
“In reality, many incidents go unreported,” he admits. “We only learn about cases like teenage pregnancies and defilement when schools inform us. Parents often conceal these problems, making it
difficult for us to act.”
Indeed, this reluctance to report issues has devastating consequences.
During a visit to Kgaphamadi, this publication encountered a mother who is allegedly concealing her 16-year-old daughter’s pregnancy.
The girl, now expecting her second child, has never received support or intervention from authorities because her mother refuses to inform the police or the school.
Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Some community members are working tirelessly to advocate for change.
“We need to come together as parents, teachers, and local leaders,” Councillor Abraham says. “We must fight for better infrastructure, reliable transport, and greater accountability from everyone involved.”
While the government has pledged to address Kgaphamadi’s issues, some residents fear that change will come too late for their children.
“If we don’t act now, these children will grow up to face even greater hardships,” Lesego warns. “Some may turn to crime or substance abuse, they will be thieves and killers of tomorrow. Others will remain trapped in the cycle of poverty.”
Kgaphamadi’s plight is a stark reminder of the inequalities that persist in Botswana, even as the country strives for progress.
The bushy, undeveloped area serves as both a physical and symbolic barrier, separating its residents from the opportunities that are just beyond their reach.
For the children of Kgaphamadi, the journey to school is more than just a walk; it is a daily struggle for a better future—one that hangs precariously in the balance.