Africa-Press – Botswana. The choice of name for the new school that is being constructed in Maun has attracted a lot of public interest on social media with many questioning the meaning of the name.
The new primary school has been named ‘Senonnori’ after the community of Senonnori ward and the North West District Council approved the name recently.
However, some social media users found the name inappropriate, saying insteatd of a somewhat unusual name, the school should have been named after prominent figures in the village who have significantly contributed to the development of the area.
Some felt that the state-of-the-art primary school deserved a better name for branding purposes, arguing that a good school name was easy to remember, while some said that the name of the school should match the institution’s vision.
However, Senonnori was approved through voting by the community out of the four suggested names of Balusi Mhaladi, Mpho Motsamai and Masake Jobe and the council endorsed the name as well during a recent special full council meeting.
In a random interview with some residents of Senonnori ward, they maintained that the name was good because it resonates well with the local history of the area.
Those who are familiar with the history of the area revealed that initially, the area was called ‘Kgaphamadi’ as it was booming with a mushrooming of sheebens selling all sorts of traditional brew.
“The shebeens were not adhering to stipulated operating hours as they sold traditional beer day and night, thus fuelling criminal activities such as assaults and fights, hence the name Kgaphamadi,” said the Ms Tobe Nyame.
After the death of some traditional leaders who were in charge of the area, she said their successors changed the name to ‘Senonnori’ because the ward was infested with such small creatures.
Although she could not remember his name, she recalled that the first chief of the ward was among those who contributed towards the change of name from Kgaphamadi to Senonnori.
Another elder, Mr Kenson Kgaga explained that prior to the name Kgaphamadi, the area was known as “Goora-Beng, a name that was in reference to one of the prominent figures to first settle there.
He said the area later experienced an influx of people and the accompanying mushrooming of traditional beer outlets, “mme bangwe ba le fetola leina ba re ke kwa ‘Kgaphamadi’ ka jaana go ne go le tshololo ya madi ka ntlha ya dintwa.”
Mr Kgaga, who is also the area’s former councillor recalled that the area was named ‘Senonnori’ following the coronation of the first headman of records, the late Kgosi Balusi Mhaladi.
He recalled that during his tenure at the council, some residents proposed that the name be changed but that did not materialise because the majority believed that the name resonated with the history of the area.
However, he did not see anything wrong with the school adopting their ward’s name especially as the community had agreed to it.
Another resident of Senonnori ward, Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo argued that the community’s decision to endorse the name Senonnori for the new school should be respected because the name resembles their identity.
He said those against the name should understand that residents considered several factors to ensure the name is appropriate, memorable and reflects their identity.
“This name connects well with the ward’s overall history and I do not see an offence in approving it. If the ward leadership and the community have endorsed it, let it be,” added Kgosi Ledimo who is also the senior chief representative at Batawana Tribal Authority.
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