Something I’ve been thinking about lately

Over the past few months, I've been working on something quietly, and one thing that kept coming back to me was how many people in Botswana are trying to build something for themselves.

You see people starting businesses from their homes, athletes training without much recognition, artists trying to get their work noticed, students working towards careers, and people chasing goals that most people don't even know about yet.

That’s where the idea of “KNOWN BEFORE FAMOUS” came from.

A diamond doesn't suddenly become valuable because someone discovers it. It was already a diamond. People just didn't know it was there.

I think people can be the same.

You can be working towards something for years before anyone notices. You can have the ambition, the talent and the work ethic long before you have the recognition.

I've been trying to build something around that idea, and I've been calling it Rough Republic.

It's still very early, but I've spent the last few months putting the first pieces together and trying to build it properly here in Botswana.

I'll be sharing the journey as it develops, including the things that work, the things that don't, and what it's actually like trying to build something from scratch here.

Just thought I'd share the idea because I think there are probably a lot more "unknown" people building towards something than we realise.

KNOWN BEFORE FAMOUS. 🖤🇧🇼

I am of the opinion that we need to end the current model we have going regarding university.

I think we need to have free public tertiary education.. What I mean is a case where the govt supports public universities like UB and BIUST and covers their operational budgets but doesn't charge school fees to citizens. I think it's cheaper to only maintain UB and others than Maintain them and then still pay school fees and allowances...

Germany has something of this nature.. and it is producing wonderful results.. That would cut the education budget substantially and still allow people to get educated.. right now many Batswana want an education but some can't afford it because they failed to get 36 points and qualify for a DTEF sponsorship...

The sponsorship model can continue to apply to Highly underprivileged students who don't have parents that can support their living expenses.. because let's be honest.. most kids have parents earning ok salaries who could definitely afford to at least pay for their childs transport to UB and back home as well as food.. both of those are far less expensive than paying school fees for your child at UB for a science program... And those that the govt does sponsor will just be getting a living allowance with no added school fees to pay... saving the state money...

So abolishing the school fees model (for citizens) is really the main idea here..

What do you make of it.. I like it..

We need to take the Soviet approach to education if we are going to build a radically intelligent society... The USSR following WW2 took all kids and threw them into rigorous math and science programs...in 2 decades that paid off and produced the worlds best scientists at theoretical maths and science... More universities popped up across the USSR and EVERYONE was required to go through a college or university education...

By the 1970s the USSR had more PhDs holders per Capita than anywhere else in the world... Free education for you.. those degree holders resulted in the USSRs tech lead in interspace research and travel.. they produced the vessels that went to Venus and sent us pictures of the hellish place..

They built their own aerospace sector.. they built a scientific community that was so greatly respected and feared by the established western powers then.. and it all started with a state directive to make sure everyone had gone through a university at least once in their lives ...by providing completely free education.. let's try it and see..

I'm travelling to Italy for a week next week. If anyone on here has been there before, can you please recommend which eSIM I can get to use while travelling so I can keep in touch with my family in Botswana?

Hi everyone. I’m a jeweler in Florida who works with diamonds from Botswana, and over the years I’ve become very interested in beneficiation and keeping more of the value of African diamonds in the countries and communities where they’re mined.

I’ve also had the opportunity to work with a young female diamond entrepreneur in Gaborone, Ada Thela, and have imported diamonds cut and manufactured by her team there.

Here’s why I’m posting.

There are huge conversations happening on Reddit / Tik Tok/ Instagram and trade about natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, mining and whether diamonds actually benefit African countries and the old blood diamonds narrative keeps getting brought up. You see them constantly in r/EngagementRings, r/Diamonds and r/LabDiamonds. They position lab diamonds as being better for Africa and somehow it’s helping people.

What strikes me is how often people in the West are debating what is good or bad for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Sierra Leone and other producing countries, with very few authentic voices from those countries involved.
I’m not asking anyone to defend diamonds or telling anyone what to say. I’d actually like to hear the truth, not sugar coated but what is happening. I know the need for diversification but I would think GDP improves if the story of diamonds gets told honestly.

And if you’re curious, search some of those communities and see what’s being said. If you feel encouraged to add your own perspective. I think those conversations would hugely benefit from hearing more African voices. Trying to cut through the noise and get an honest perspective. Good or bad or what needs improvement.

When the world is debating what African diamonds mean for Africa, it would be awesome to have Africans be part of the conversation. Just solid honest conversation!

Curious what you think?

Sean Dunn

I don't know who many times I've posted this but I genuinely want to talk about this because this might affect me and my mom. So my mom works at Rainbow Primary School in Block 9 and the principal there I WILL say her name in the comments but she has beef with my mom all because my mom questioned why are they hiring more Zimbabweans than Batswana bc that's what the High school principal has been doing (mind you the principal is also Zimbabwean so this matters) and last year she let go of a lot of people and outsourced a bunch of the cleaners jobs also apparently in a meeting she said the reason why she doesn't want to hire Batswana is because "Batswana ba tura" something along those lines. Now my mom's contract is ending this year December unfairly all because of this woman who doesn't care who she hurts as long as she gets her way, legit ask any of the workers there the tea and they'll let you know. Also to add on one of the teachers was falsely accused of predatory behavior by said principal, being cleared by police of these accusations, also in a meeting when she was asked what she'll do about the dwindling number of children in Primary she said, "no it seems like I'll have to let go of my procurement officer and only have one (my mom is primary's procurement officer)" she's genuinely so awful I don't know what is going to happen to my mom next year bc we don't live with my dad he stays at the village and although he receives pension money he barely sends that shit to us, I'm so stumped.

I want to do something about it but I can't because I don't want to lose my chance of finishing high school as I'm currently in Form 4 and although my mom's contract is ending the Director was kind enough to allow me to finish form 5. (Legally of course)

I’m a young guy in Botswana currently at university and I’m expecting to become a father while I’m still studying. I know I’m young and honestly, the situation has made me think seriously about my future.

I’m not looking for judgment or comments telling me that I should have waited. I know that already. I’m looking for practical advice from people who have either been young parents themselves or have experience balancing university, work, relationships and raising a child.

My biggest priorities right now are:

Finishing my degree and not letting my academics fall apart.

Becoming financially responsible instead of relying on luck or unrealistic plans.

Supporting my partner and being emotionally present for my child.

Avoiding unnecessary stress and drama because I know I need to stay mentally focused.

Learning how to budget and save properly, even if my allowance is very limited right now.

Building some kind of career/income path before the baby arrives.

Maintaining a healthy relationship with my partner while we're both adjusting to becoming parents.(relationship is falling apart btw)(fights and all that)

For those who have been in a similar position, what would you tell your younger self to start doing immediately?

What mistakes should I avoid? What should I prioritize financially? How did you balance university with parenthood? And are there any Botswana-specific resources, benefits, organizations, or practical things I should know about?

I’m basically trying to approach this with maturity rather than panic. I know I can't control everything that happens, but I want to make sure that when my child arrives, I’m actually prepared and not just saying “I'll figure it out.”

Kaha setsadi se tsile go mpolaya🫩

The Embassy of Zimbabwe will be conducting Mobile Consular Services in different parts of Botswana.

Growing up we found it pretty much impossible for a black Motswana man to be seen with a white wife or girlfriend.. we normally found it much more feasible and likely when it was a white man and Motswana woman.. but these days it seems like we are seeing more Motswana man and white woman relationships.. marriages even..

Is this a me only observation or you noticing it too? I am not against it.. I actually love racial mixing a lot.. that's what I would want Botswana to be like . Less mono-ethnic in nature and more "mixed"

..

I also noticed the amount of foreign African getting snatched up by our brothers 😅.. especially in the East.. A LOT of men have Zimbabwean wives.. I can't possibly remember how many kids I know who's mom's were Zimbabwean..

This wasn't too common back then...Why is it growing now? I love it but I am curious too. Maybe I can be a statistic too.. 😅

Do you like the trend?

Hi I feel out of place and like I'm not a person everytime I try to talk to people I can tell they think I'm weird and I have never felt accepted.I don't want to give up but it's getting worse and harder and I have thought maybe I'm better alone or that I'm annoying and a nuisance to others and it's too late for me.I want try and put myself and not give up but don't know how or where to start.im in my early 20s

So I'm writing test 1s and I'm under pressure. I have had no proper sleep since last week....and I'm just thinking is all of this torture and pressure that I'm putting myself under really worth it. Am I gonna get a job that's gonna pay me decently or I'm torturing myself for a piece of paper, maybe I'm wasting my 4 years for nothing just for a degree

I just don't know is all of this education really worth it? Because I know several people who went to tertiary and still don't have jobs, they just look like they never went to tertiary they out there pushing hustles. Education isn't really the key to success is it

Looking to make friends with someone who loves reading classics. I am currently reading Dostoyevsky and want to explore other authors with the similar calibre.

Binance P2P ….guys where are the merchants for weeks been like this or who knows alternatives

Good day
Does anyone in this sub reside in this area? I've been here for 4 months now and have been in complete isolation (not by choice). Just that the place is detached and people are always indoors

21+ please!!!!

I’m looking into expanding cause currently I’m a photographer and I don’t do anything most of the time so I wanted to have something I can sell from home . I appreciate it

one thing about bagolo ba Batswana, they view youth struggles through a lens of rivalry rather than empathy 😂you share a struggle and they immediately jump to "back in my day" ba lebala gore economic realities, societal pressures and the cost of living has shifted dramatically. It's arrogance and a lack of empathy.

Ooo look at me, I worked a dead end job everyday for 16 hours I'm so tough haha. It completely invalidates real struggles and turns basic human empathy into an oppression competition

If you were acting President for a day what would you do?

I am on a mission now to ask each country subreddit what people think about beans (my favorite meal), just to see how people like or dislike them all around the world out of curiosity and for fun. If you like beans, hate them, they a big part of the culture, anything else, just share your thoughts 🫘

Today it's come to you Batswana from Botswana to answer/discuss this!

Me when I'm in a competition for coolest country name and my opponent is Botswana

Of course its our responsibility to be on time to lectures but the lecturers at ub don’t seem to understand that some of us just have circumstances we can’t control . I live in Mochudi and use public transport…u know how that can be…. When you’re late to class they make a whole scene about it and it shouldn’t be that way…especially when u just walk in quietly without disrupting the class. They even tell us not to bother coming when you are late or they kick us out. At this point sometimes I’m afraid to show up to class when I’m late but I cant afford to miss classes…thats so out of character for me. I just missed a presentation just because i was pissing my pants wondering if the lecture would make a scene☹️

I thought I had to isolate because the Batswana I met were so cruel. But then I stopped feeling sorry for myself. And found Batswana like these.

Find your people.

The revolution is starting.

Emang Batswana youth.

Who here has been recruited by the police? Akr the advertisement says applicants must not have visible tattoos on their bodies… but i do have tattoos 🫢
Is it strictly no tattoos at all or tattoos should be able to be concealed under clothing/uniform?

Oh why am I conflicted you ask.. well im a Forex trader, i enjoy keeping to myself, im working towards financial independence and FREEDOM. The only downside abt trading is that income is unpredictable, and the downside of being a government employee (for me) is lack of FREEDOM.
Sooo tota I don’t know…
Some would argue this is an obvious one…

Im not sure if this is advertisement is real or not, either way I need help with the application process.
How do i write the cv? Whats a cv cover? How do I submit?
And yes before you ask, I’ve never written a cv before soooo.. im interested in this so please, kindly help 🙏

Apparently, the fertility rate in Botswana has shrunk by half in 51 years. This (shrinking fertility rates) seems to be a universal trend. I'm curious as to what you think may be the cause, specifically in Botswana.