19 Jan 2025

Torrential rains that caused significant flooding in some parts of Botswana has prevented 87 pupils from Malelejwe settlement from returning to school.

Located about 22 kilometres south of Sowa township, the children were stranded on one side of overflowing waters from a stream near Tshwaane settlement that had swollen into a lake, effectively blocking their access to schools in Sowa township and Nata village.

The flooding, caused by the Mosetse River overflowing into Tshwaane, and subsequently spreading into the Makgadikgadi Pan, made it impossible for the children to cross the water by conventional means. As a result, Botswana Police Service deployed a helicopter to airlift the 87 pupils to safety on Thursday morning, two days after schools reopened.

The helicopter transported the children across the impassable stream to a point where government vehicles could then take them to their respective schools.

Tutume District commissioner, Ms Tlotleng Rampha clarified that while flooding significantly impacted the area, Malelejwe settlement itself was not inundated.

The severe flooding occurred at Tshwaane settlement, forcing temporary relocation of 27 families to Sowa while others sought refuge with neighbours. ENDS