Berry Heart Calls On Authorities To Desist From Covering Up Racism Incidents

Racism is alive and real in Botswana. The cases might be few, since we are not many in terms of population, but they should be dealt with severely. It came to the spotlight when popular poet Kootshepile Motseonageng, known as Berry Heart became a victim last year.

In a widely publicized incident at Thebe River Safari Lodge in Kasane last year, where a certain white man Allan Bekker and Berry Heart were patrons, Bekker allegedly launched a racist attack on Berry and her friend calling them prostitutes after throwing a beer bottle at their direction.Following several court appearances, Bekker has been remanded in custody pending judgement delivery, after he was charged with threat to kill.

This incident has now confirmed that there is a lot of racism in the tourism industry, and it was only a matter of time that it gets addressed. Being the outspoken one, the poet called on relevant authorities to desist from covering up racism incidents especially in tourism hot spots which are frequented by whites. “As a citizen of this country we should not shy away from taking action against anyone who undermines a citizenry of this country based on our color skin,” she said.