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THE LIFE AND TIMES OF AN ANGRY HUSBAND
May. 17 | As a child of the 60’s I am reminded of a popular protest song back in the day entitled, “The Times they are a’ Changing.” The Bob Dylan inspired number was an anthem of change for a generation that felt the old ‘established’ order...
LOOKING AFTER NUMBER ONE
May. 3 | Traditionally parents believed that their children would always be part of them – sharing a life where support and love would flow to all concerned. Loving and giving has always been an integral component of African culture and it also suggests...
TURNING TO FACE THE CHANGE
Apr. 26 | I am convinced that “change” is the most elusive and difficult thing to manage. We live in a fast changing world but somehow nothing prepares us to formulate relevant responses to match the “change elements” that confront us with...
MA MOSOJANE’S TRADITIONAL WISDOM
Apr. 19 | Although SA president Jacob Zuma has done his best to reverse the trend, it was only during the colonial era that plural marriage was perceived as taboo, Traditionally in Africa polygamy has existed as an aspect of culture or/and religion. But whilst...
A DEEPER SHADE OF SOUL
Apr. 12 | “A nation without a culture is a nation without a soul,” is an often-repeatedslogan inspired by Sir SeretseKhama’s famous declaration back in 1970. And whilst the first President’s actual words referred to a ‘people without a past,’ the issue...
LEFT HOLDING THE BABY
Mar. 29 | ASSESSING THE DAMAGE – A QUESTION OF PERSPECTIVE When affixing the label ‘Discrimination Against Women’ I sometimes wonder if the tag can be used to hide moments of female weakness as much as it does to expose the power wielded by the so-called...
THE REALITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Mar. 22 | INSTANT LOVE -INSTANT INFECTION MARCH is designated as the month of Youth Against HIV/AIDS and forms part of the government’s prevention strategy in a business that is a 24/7 all year round battle. Each year the emphasis is on young people taking responsibility...
WHEN LOVE AND MARRIAGE BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE BEDFELLOWS
Feb. 22 | You might have heard me in a panel discussion on national radio last week in a series of stimulating and at times heated debates on marriage. Actually the discussions were more about the shocking divorce statistics and exploring how the institution of...
CULTURAL VALUES AND CUPIDS ARROWS
Feb. 15 | This week as we celebrate the Valentine magic my column explores and exposes how a one-day wonder of love can trigger a chain reaction that is likely to make a permanent dent in the life of an unsuspecting individual. Let me take you to a customary...
THE WISDOM OF THE HEART
Feb. 8 | The mother and child reunion Whilst the basic human values of love, truth, non-violence, peace and right conduct are changeless and timeless, there is no doubt that there has been a value shift over the years in our society. Cultural values have been...
TWO FATHERS ONE DAUGHTER
Feb. 1 | There is a Setswana expression, “Ngwana o itsiwe sereto ke mmaagwe” meaning that only the mother knows who the father of her child is. In recent years there has been a growing number of false accusations concerning paternity. In some cases the courts...
GOLEDZWA 2013!
Jan. 18 | Let me take this unique opportunity to say Goledzwa to all the readers of Traditional Wisdom. There is magic about the new year that we cannot shake off. We all feel renewed and refreshed by the new season such that we imagine that we have the energy...
THE DISTORTED PRIORITIES OF A CHANGING CULTURE
Dec. 28 | Christmas has always had a magical appeal that moves people to go out of their way to please their loved ones. There is no doubt that Christmas is a time to celebrate, to have fun and give families the opportunity to get together to renew their bonds. It...
MA MOSOJANE’S TRADITIONAL WISDOM 14.12.12
Dec. 19 | OT COULD YOU PLEASE PUT A JAGGERED LINE BETWEEN THE MAN AND THE MOTHER TO ILLUSTRATE SEPARATION BURNING ISSUES It is always good to get feedback from readers either via my e-mail address or through personal contact. The column has been going for over...
MISPLACED CHILDREN
Dec. 10 | Married or unmarried the time it takes to make a baby is the time it takes to make a cup of tea – what happens next is called ‘life.’ It is an obvious point but I mention it here because the marital status of the parents often effects the way children...
AMBUSHED AND ABANDONED
Dec. 1 | This week’s column comes in the midst of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence and on the eve of World Aids Day. The Campaign that began last Sunday continues until 10 December, Human Rights Day. These dates were chosen to emphasize...
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
Nov. 24 | A story illustrating the double standards of culture Much as we desire to preserve our culture, it is proving very difficult to imagine that we are back in the 60’s one day and then fast forward to the 21st Century the next day. In what has become...
PROMISES, PROMISES
Nov. 19 | Marriage vows and broken dreams Call me old fashioned but there is evidence that the disciplined social order of the older generation that penetrated human relations provided an element of protection and safety to women and children. No doubt the perception...
LEFT HOLDING THE BABY
Nov. 12 | Customary marriage conflict In Botswana there seems to be an illusion created by the practices around marriage. Many believe that marriage must be done in three parts beginning withpatlo (asking for a wife) followed by the payment oflobolaand then...
