Students at the University of Botswana

University of Botswana (UB)

Hey yall!! I'm back with another post. This time I am sharing my fellow UB peers with you as I have been able to meet and mingle with many of them. I also hope that UB students are able to read this post and learn about each other. It's hard knowing every college student when there's 20,000 of them. Thankfully, I manged to grab nine of them and ask a few simple questions.  UB alumni can read this blog as well in order to reflect on their own college days. Were they interested in the same hobbies, did they major in the same subject? etc. etc. Heck, this post could even be used for networking! The point is, I have had the opportunity to converse with some pretty cool people and I want to share that experience. :) Hope you appreciate my peers as much as I have. 

Thuso Sibanda
From this day forth I will know him as the poet with bars.  I had no idea he was such a beautiful poet. I actually learned of his talent during class.  When listening to his poem, I could hear his wittiness and affection through his choice of words and arrangement of metaphors. He's dope and his style reminds me of the spoken word artists back in Philly (Philadelphia).

Anyway, Thuso's name is difficult to translate in English. But it deals with putting your trust into whomever has the name. Thuso was born in 1989 in Muchudi, Botswana where he is from.

His response to additional questions are below.

Area of Study: BIS 240 Information Studies and Linguistics

Hobby/ Campus Involvement: Producing Music

What do you like about America?
"I like the sarcasm that African American comedians possess (i.e. Chris Rock, Eddy Griffin)."

What do you like about Botswana and/or Batswana? "Peaceful."

One important detail about this student's story is that he had the option to study overseas but chose to stay in Botswana because it was peaceful and there were no wars. He could feel safe in his home country. He is also graduating this May. So congratulations to him. 

Bongumenzi

(Thank God/Appreciation)

Bongumenzi is a student from Swaziland which is a small country located within South Africa. He was born in 1989. His name can be interpreted as "Thank God" or "Appreciation. 

His responses are below.

Area of Study: Special Education and African Languages

Hobby/ Campus Involvement: 

Reading/writing/watching movies, the TV show Empire. Favorite film is August Rush

What do you like about America?  

"I like you guys' movies and the fact that you can do anything and be anyone. And the multiple nationalities. We don't get to see that here in Africa. "

What do you like about Botswana and/or Batswana?

"I like the climate, it is very very hot. And the people are open, communicative and they tend to like anyone comming from Southern Africa, mainly Swazi's (smiles)"

Leatile Motlhalamme

      

Leatile is from Orapa, Botswana. He was born in 1994. He is a model and eclectic type of person which I picked up from his unique hair and sense of style. His responses are below.

Area of Study: BAF 200 Finance

Hobby/ Campus Involvement: Modelling/Rapping 

What do you like about America?  

"There is always something to do. There are parks, recreational facilities...You can be yourself. There are a whole lot of opportunities. People mind their own business." 

What do you like about Botswana and/or Batswana? 

"They are very decent people. They're friendly. School is free.." 

Jane

Jane is from Satau, Botswana. She was born in 1992 and is a very nice person to talk to. She was really open to answering my questions and having a conversation about my experience at UB (University of Botswana). Her answers are below.

Area of Study: Library Information

Hobby/ Campus Involvement: Reading/Watching TV (music shows)

What do you like about America?  "America seems to be a free country. There is freedom there. [Here], having an American friend is considered a good thing."

Jane

What do you like about Botswana and/or Batswana? "Botswana is also a free country. There is peace and the nature and environment are good things..for tourism, national parks..."

Lorraine

Lorraine is not a traditional name but this student was named by her mother who visited Lorraine, France while pregnant.  Lorraine is from Palapye which is located in Central Botswana. Below are her responses to additional questions. 

Area of Study: BA (Psychology (major), French (minor))

Hobby/Campus Involvement: Blogger/Photographer, currently running a five hundred portraits marathon of Batswana.         

                                                 

What do you like about America?: "Home of the free, land of the brave.", this is my favorite quote to describe a nation/land. Also love some American authors, Charles Bukowski, F. Scott Fitzgerald (especially), and Sylvia Plath.

What do you like about Botswana and/or Batswana?: I like the fact that Botswana is like a blank canvas ready to be painted as we may please. As a nation we have so many things we can still do, glad to be born in this generation that's of Batswana who are driving change. So, I like the people, the general energy and the wildlife.

Karabo (answer) 

Karabo whose Setswana name means Answer was initially shy about being interviewed.  Karabo was born in 1996. She is from Thamaga, Botswana.  Her responses to additional questions are below.

Area of Study: LLB 260 "law"

Hobby/ Campus Involvement: Following fashion trends

What do you like about America?  

"There are alot of opportunities there."

What do you like about Botswana and/or Batswana? 

"The people are friendly. It has a calm aura to it."

Ndibapi

Ndibapi (who are they)

Ndibapi has the most unique Setswana name I have ever heard. Her name is a phrase because it is literally a piece of a story. Depending on the order of birth, each child has either the beginning, middle or end of the story. If you want to know the story in its correct order, you must know the lineage from which you come. Amazing.

Anyway, Ndibapi is from Maun and Matenge, Botswana respectively. She was born in 1992. Below, are her responses to additional questions.

Area of Study: LLB 260 "Law"

Hobby/ Campus Involvement: Sewing, doing arts and crafts, reading and watching TV

What do you like about America? 

"Selection of their TV shows and the "yes we can sentiment"  pursuit of happiness.

 What do you like about Botswana and/or Batswana? 

"The food, the general sense of peace and security. Free education and health care" 

Boitshepiso Majwaneng

Boitshepiso is a friend of Ndibapi's. I interviewed them both right before my Setswana class.
Boitshepiso was born in 1989. Her additional responses are below.

Boitshepiso

Area of Study: LLB 260 "law"

Hobby/ Campus Involvement: "singing and chilling with my girls"

What do you like about America?  "The lifestyle and the opportunities there (work). Better chance at getting  job."

What do you like about Botswana and/or Batswana? 

"Social security in all its aspects...health, education, etc. And the culture. "

Tsholofelo (hope)

Tsholofelo, whose name means hope is from Mahaulapye, Botswana. She was born in 1992. See her responses below.

Area of Study: English and African Languages

Hobby/ Campus Involvement: Hanging out with friends

What do you like about America?  

"The culture. Everyone has their own culture and are involved in something. Every family has its own tradition" 

What do you like about Botswana and/or Batswana? 

"I don't know if you've notice this but, there is a sense of belonging. The people are welcoming and nice. The people are your family away from [home]." 



*Jane, Lorraine and Thuso provided their own photos. All other photos were captured on my celly :)