From as far as the 18th century, initiation schools of Bogwera and Bojale were conducted every year as a way of preparing young men and women for adulthood in Botswana.

Like other tribes, Balete cherished this cultural practice as it united members of the community and instilled discipline in the younger generation. They were moulded to become wives and husbands. Women were taught how to care for their families, while men were taught how to provide and protect their families. Deputy Paramount Chief of Balete Kgosi Tsimane Mokgosi explains that they usually send large groups of 100 people or more to initiation school, meaning that each year, they have no less than 100 graduates. And having 100 graduates means that all had successfully completed the programme. It is a highly-guarded secret what really happens at Bogwera. This is why learners are taken away and separated from family and friends during this period.

But this publication has established that one of the activities carried out at initiation school is circumcision. What this means is that hundreds of Balete men are circumcised as they remain one of the few tribes still carrying out Bogwera. Asked if those taken for Bogwera can refuse to participate in some of the activities carried out during Bogwera, Kgosi Mokgosi said, “Before they get sent to Bogwera, there is extensive discussion on what is expected of the learners. They are also sent to Bogwera

together with their uncles (guides) who have passed through initiation school.” In the absence of an uncle, the family of an interested learner can find a family friend or a distant relative to accompany one of their own to initiation school. “The reason why we want learners to be accompanied by their guides is so that they keep them in line and explain that once they agree to be initiated, there is no turning back,” Kgosi Mokgosi explained. He said there is no how learners can refuse to do certain things because before departure all medical checks are done to ensure that everyone is fit to undergo every activity they will be exposed to at initiation school. He said that when they resurrected initiation schools back in 2012, HIV/AIDS was ravaging the country and circumcision was being used as a way to reduce infection. At the time, male circumcision was said to be reducing the chances of men acquiring HIV by 50 percent to 60 percent during sexual contact with female partners infected with HIV. And at the time, Botswana was aggressively advising men to circumcise as a way of trying to reduce HIV infection numbers in the country. Kgosi noted that in the past, initiation school lasted for three months but as the world evolves, they had to shorten the period to allow people to get back to their lives. He acknowledged that the short period is not enough and that is why they wish to partner with the Ministry of Education so that the indigenous knowledge gained at Bogwera and Bojale

can be integrated into the curriculum so that prospective initiates can take study leaves to attend initiation school.