Africa-Press – Botswana. Various speakers at a Heartbreakers Bootcamp in Mochudi on Saturday July 22 encouraged the orphans not to hold emotions but cry as it was part of the healing process.
The event was organised by Miss Independence Kgatleng, who is also the founder and director of Miss Independence Kgatleng, Ms Lobopo Buleyani in partnership with Ms Joy Setshedi of Joy Foundation at Dinkgwana Chillers and Pub.
Bakgatla deputy chief, Kgosi Bana Sekai advised them not to let their present circumstances limit their horizon, adding that they could be anything they set their dreams on.
Kgosi Sekai said being an orphan did not mean they were disadvantaged, and encouraged them to forget about their past and concentrate on their future.
For his part, Kgatleng District Council chairperson Mr Daniel Molokwe said it was important for youths not to carry heavy loads in their hearts as that would be detrimental to their overall well-being.
Former My Star judge, actress and founder of Letlapa la Bagodi Foundation Ms Kgomotso Tshwenyego said orphans must face reality about their loss and deal with it in order for them to continue with their lives.
She said they should step up as their lives changed the minute they became orphans, adding that guardians and government programmes were limited.
Ms Tshenyego further appealed to the parents to allow children to mourn.
“Let the children go through all the mourning processes. It is not right to ask a child to make funeral arrangements and tea when they have to be mourning,” she said.
Ms Boipelo Letsholo shared her heartbreaking story of how she had to deal with loss of both her parents and the conflict that ensued after over her parent’s property.
Her father worked in South Africa and visited them once in a while but it was his death that changed her life dramatically.
“My father was a last born and therefore he was given his parent’s yard and we lived in it.
However, after his death, his family requested us to move out,” she said.
By then, she was only doing Form One and took the bulls by the horn as she confronted them and eventually, with the support of one of her father’s brothers, kgosi ruled in their favour.
However, her mother’s mental being deteriorated as she had to deal with the grief of losing a husband and conflict with the in-laws.
Ms Letsholo, who has now been married for 15 years, said her mother passed away when she was doing Form Five, and her father’s family stood against them.
She said they never helped or contributed towards her mother’s funeral, not even during her wedding.
Today, she and the husband own businesses which has employed 31 youths, and she encouraged the orphans not to let their past dictate their future.
Zenzele Hirschfield of Zen Promotions said she also lost both her parents but she did not let that dictate her future.
“Yesterday is gone. Today is a gift and a blessing and tomorrow is a mystery,” she said.
Social worker and Miss Independence Kgatleng Queen of 2017 said it was important for people to show their emotions when experiencing grief.
Ms Luthando Ratasu, who is also the assistant director of Miss Independence said failure to deal with grief could lead to further complications and illnesses.
“When you do not allow the process of grief to take place, it turns to anger,” she said.
Ms Buleyani said orphans should never feel out of place.
The event, sponsored by Clicks, attracted youths from Kgatleng, Serowe, Mahalapye, Lerala, Kanye and Ramotswa.
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