The compound

Tom lives in the compound of his friend Tlhagiso Sesinyi aka Rra-Segakolodi. (Actually easy to pronounce if you remember that the g sound is like h - tlahiso). They met when Tom was working with the Farmers’ Brigade which was part of Swaneng Hill School where I taught in 1968. Tom left Botswana in 1973 and returned to the States, married and went to live in Mexico and then settled in Montréal where we reconnected. Tom came here for a visit with his 2 sons in 2001 and decided this is where he would settle when his kids were launched. He came in 2004 and made arrangements with Tlhagiso to build a structure in the large yard, 2 comfortable rooms with adjoining washroom and separate toilet. He may add on a formal kitchen.

In the main house live Tlhagiso and his wife Dorothy. Only one of his 5 children remains at home, a 16-year old girl who attends Swaneng Hill School. There is also 10-year old Khandu, a grandchild. Everyone speaks English including the boy who learns it at school. He is quickly overcoming his shyness and likes to hang around for any entertainment or extra food that might come his way.

Speaking of food, Tom has always been used to living at a fairly basic level. I have not. He is allowing me to expand his culinary horizon and is already getting used to a glass (mug until a couple of days ago) of wine with dinner. He makes a delicious all purpose sauce which is poured over rice. I have added some variations. I also bought a toaster for my morning toast rather than trying to burn bread between two knives over the gas stove. When Tlhagiso was aked if he new what a toaster was for he answered, “Yes, it scorches the bread!” The other morning he made the traditional breakfast of mealie meal (ground white corn) and sour milk. Mealie meal is a dish I did not take to 39 years ago, and time has not improved my appreciation of it.