By Roxanne Reid
The night is dark, the stars and moon reflected in the Chobe River behind us. We’re in a boma overlooking the water and the smell of good food mixes with the swirl of smoke from the braai and the sound of marimba music. Food, dust, music and smiling faces – this is the meat and marrow of Botswana.
The night is dark, the stars and moon reflected in the Chobe River behind us. We’re in a boma overlooking the water and the smell of good food mixes with the swirl of smoke from the braai and the sound of marimba music. Food, dust, music and smiling faces – this is the meat and marrow of Botswana.
It was our first evening at Chobe Game Lodge and we were enjoying a traditional supper in the dust-floored boma (outdoor entertainment area). A marimba quartet had been organised to entertain us, their energy impressive, their rhythms infectious. Tapping my toes and swaying in my seat, I noticed that waitress Precious Million couldn’t help moving to the music as she went about her duties.
Precious grew up in Francistown in central Botswana and now lives in the northern town of Kazungula not far from the Chobe National Park. Although she has worked as a bar lady and receptionist, she came to Chobe Game Lodge in 2014 to be a waitress. Here her bubbly personality and bright smile have made her a favourite with the guests.
Precious grew up in Francistown in central Botswana and now lives in the northern town of Kazungula not far from the Chobe National Park. Although she has worked as a bar lady and receptionist, she came to Chobe Game Lodge in 2014 to be a waitress. Here her bubbly personality and bright smile have made her a favourite with the guests.
Chobe is full of contrasts, like the peace of this river scene compared to the energy of the marimba music
During a lull in her chores, she started dancing in a corner. Before long one of the Australian guests joined her on the brickwork ‘stage’ in front of the marimbas. Together they were the highlight of the unscheduled entertainment, enjoyed even by the grinning marimba players.
‘Although I have two left feet I do enjoy grooving to the beat of the marimba whenever we have boma nights,’ said Precious. ‘Visitors are usually shy but with the right encouragement they can’t resist.’ She confessed that dancing feels like she’s floating on air. ‘It makes me happy and I feel very active afterwards.’
But she has her feet firmly on the ground when it comes to what she wants from life. ‘I’ve always wanted to own and run a business. I love selling clothes and I’m a people person, which makes it easier. One day I hope to have my own stall which will turn into a store and maybe even a franchise. I’m a person who dreams big.’
You go, Precious!
‘Although I have two left feet I do enjoy grooving to the beat of the marimba whenever we have boma nights,’ said Precious. ‘Visitors are usually shy but with the right encouragement they can’t resist.’ She confessed that dancing feels like she’s floating on air. ‘It makes me happy and I feel very active afterwards.’
But she has her feet firmly on the ground when it comes to what she wants from life. ‘I’ve always wanted to own and run a business. I love selling clothes and I’m a people person, which makes it easier. One day I hope to have my own stall which will turn into a store and maybe even a franchise. I’m a person who dreams big.’
You go, Precious!
* This is part of a series called Voices of Botswana, which shares the stories of some of the people we met on our Botswana adventure. You can find them all in the people category of this blog.
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words, photographs or videos on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words, photographs or videos on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
