06 May 2015

When one looks at Ms Keleofile Sithibane’s facial expression, one is convinced that the 36-year-old Lehututu resident must have gone through hell and come back. 

Growing up as a disciplined child, Keleofile had a promising future just like other children until at junior school when she started taking alcohol and drugs and remained so for years on end.

Her parents tried in vain to advise her against bad behavior but it got worse as she also started experiencing bad luck after another, with things taking a nasty turn when her intimate partner for 10 years left her to marry another woman.

In an interview with BOPA, Keleofile speaks of how her name, ‘Keleofile’, which can be translated into English as ‘I have sinned’, must have been the source of all her troubles. After so many years she now understands why her former class teacher, who was a Christian, had always wanted to change her name to Portia.

Midwives always ask new mothers after giving birth what the names of their bundles of joy are for the simple reason that a human being must have a name for unique identification.

In many cultures across the globe, prior to a child’s birth, parents agree on the selection of a special name to be given to their expected child.  Often the child is named after a beloved family member, special friend or a famous person; sometimes after a historical event or a certain circumstance in the parent’s life.

Meanwhile, in both Setswana tradition and Christianity, there are some beliefs pertaining to a name. For example, it is believed that a name has a spiritual power to curse or bless the future of the child. 

Many times children are given names such as Lesego or Tshegofatso which are attributed to blessing. Derogatory names on the other side have negative effects on a child’s life, and this usually proves the Setswana proverb of Ina lebe seromo right. Simply speaking a name can influence the character of a child.

“What shocked me is that the very weekend before he got married we were together in Gaborone peacefully and we never had any misunderstanding,” said Keleofile about the exit of her boyfriend.

However, she says after being converted to Christianity, her pastor changed her name to ‘Blessing’; the pastor was informed by the Biblical reference where God changed the name of Jacob which means a cheater to Israel which means the one who prevails or one who rules with God.

“Restoration has been restored. My new name is Blessing, every door of success has opened,” she said with a smile on her face.

Mr Keitumetse Basimane, a Christian devotee says when parents select a name for a child they should understand that all names are prophetic and can reveal a child’s destiny.

He said parents should avoid a Setswana system of naming a child after someone whom they did not know how he lived or the God he served.

Mr Basimane advised parents to always engage God on naming their children, citing the example of God sending the name of temple priest’s son in the Bible. 

He said the angel Gabriel told the temple priest Zacharias to name his son John which means “God is gracious”. ENDS