Our last school day

We had a slightly earlier start this morning so that we could be at Mathiba Memorial Primary School by 8.00. As usual, our 40 minutes ride on the back of a centrally-benched truck through sandy scrub, dry farmland and Maun’s urban spread, was accompanied by waves from children heading to school.

We arrived at Mathiba with the school gathering for assembly and waited until it was over. Then we split up into our teaching groups, some going with Std 3s and others with Std 2. Since the morning started relatively cool most groups were soon out of their classrooms and playing games in the sandy surrounds. Much fun, laughter and shrieking.

By 9.45 we were reluctant to leave Mathiba but we were required at the Sedie School Form 3 Presentation ceremony and so said our farewells. It was the final day of the school year for the Sedie Form 3s as they had completed their exams and next year will attend a senior secondary school somewhere else.

The programme showed an 8.00 start but things started to happen from 10.15. Apart from handing out academic, leadership and sporting awards (Peter Craig & Tim Dibdin did the Bronze Awards - a certificate and dinner sets) there were several entertainment activities.

A DJ kept music playing whenever nothing was happening. We had a student bible group choir, professional dancers (polka, hiphop and traditional), a guitar-playing singer, a guest speaker, Mrs Mokobela (the Head) and a past student.

Nearly 5 hours after it started, Oxley were invited to sing to the large group still assembled. They rose to the occasion by adapting a song the polers had taught them in the Okavango, a repetitive song that started with ‘Beautiful Africa, I will never forget beautiful Africa’.

We left Sedie with the ceremony still going, having felt that we had fulfilled our obligations. An hour in town gave everyone a chance to drink, eat and buy gifts to take home .

Back at camp we either swam or played volleyball before dinner and returned to these activities afterwards. In our tents by 9.30 with all in good spirits.Read more