All Quotes

"We have, as a tripartite body, prioritised in the decent work country programme, four socio-economic features towards the attainment of the National Vision 2016, as well as towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals."

"It is totally unacceptable when an African leader, in order to stay in power, will resort to killing his or her own people."

"When you have a country with millions of people, for any leader to think they are the only ones who can be president is pathetic."

"The Africa we dream of - peaceful, prosperous and respected- will only emerge when our governance is guided by our values and not by our interests."

"It would not be appropriate to indicate my position with any political party publicly"

"Fast forward to 2018 to the character betrayal, and vindictiveness, this time not by the British but our very own raised its ugly head"

"My father would have been shocked and disgusted at the abandonment of the rule of law, and human rights that we and many other Batswana were subjected to."

"When he looked north, across the Kalahari to this land of brave and dignified people, he saw not a neighbour but a brother"

"He understood the destiny of Botswana was bound to that of Namibia, that our futures like our rivers and deserts flow together"

"It was a mistake to choose Masisi as my successor"

"I came here to tell you that I am cutting ties with the BDP as I do not recognise this party anymore"

"The problem with some leaders is that they hide behind the rhetoric of Pan-Africanism while denying their citizens basic democratic rights"

"I have to fix the mistake I made in appointing Masisi to be my successor"

"Botswana has been a democracy, right from independence, we had a very good reputation for democracy, we were a shining light on the African continent, we were renowned worldwide for our adherence to democracy and then you get this one man who comes in one day and just overturns everything"

"And this is the Botswana version of Donald Trump in Masisi"

"We thought we had built enough foundation that could not be rocked when it came to our democracy, but we have found out that it just takes one man in that position to reverse all the gains that we have made and sweated for many years"

"When I left office, I intended to completely leave politics but here I'm now more involved in politics than even when I was president because I'm determined to make sure this man (Masisi) goes"

"I want to create spaces where young people are seen, heard, and inspired to take up space."

"Just start! Whether it’s watching games, writing, taking pictures, or even starting a YouTube channel, begin where you are."

"It won’t be easy, but it’s the journey that shapes you and builds your character. Along the way, you’ll be reminded of your ‘why,’ and that’s what will keep you going."

"It’s very difficult to adapt a book into a film, especially a fictional book where I have the freedom to do whatever I want to do with the characters."

"It is our responsibility as storytellers to promote a reading culture to communities, many of which are marginalised."

"Reading opens one’s mind to different things and different worlds and expands horizons"

"In order to create a culture of reading among children, we need to make books accessible to them and write stories they can relate to"

"The truth is I would have been fine i it had flopped, because at that time I wasn't as invested as I am now in the business."

"Sometimes I don't even like or agree with her, but I can't change her or tame her just because I'm not happy with her decisions."

"I’m the most known person who isn’t a celebrity"

"If the assumption that I’m influential is true, then that’s the one issue I’m willing to speak about, openly and honestly."

"I have rejected many ‘influencer’ deals, turned down many celebrity event invitations (not because there’s anything wrong with them, but because I know my limits and complications"

"It takes guts, patience and a lot of hard work. I think anyone who is passionate about writing and wants to own and be in control of their creativity can do it. I used my own money to publish, which was risky because I wasn’t sure how well my book was going to do. It took a while before the money I made from book sales was actual profit. But I’m at a great place now"

"Philosophers and jurists who turned natural right into the highest legal authority—often the very writers who feature most prominently in our liberal narratives of reform and progress—were also those most likely to demand the harshest penalties against those who violated it."

"If I were to write a chapter about what it means to be a woman in contemporary South Africa, I would title it “Rising Above”"

"Being a woman today involves navigating numerous obstacles, gatekeeping, and micro-aggressions we face in workplaces, places of worship and even in our homes"

"At work, one must often adopt a bold and authoritative demeanour to be taken seriously, and often revert to a more subdued and subservient role at home"

"While social media offers an illusion of connection and a sense of community, I believe women are more isolated than ever"

"We are pressured to project a perfect image of smiles, confidence and “queen energy” for the ‘Gram, yet we often find ourselves subjected to harsh scrutiny in the comments"

"In South Africa today, being a woman means being celebrated for living your authentic self — until that self no longer fits the mould others have created for you"

"It involves rising above the ever-increasing expectations and absurd standards that people claim to understand"

"I reclaim my power as a woman writing in South Africa by writing the stories I wish I had encountered while growing up"

"I strive to ensure that every African woman can see herself in my work, one story at a time"

"My writing serves as a love letter to African women, celebrating our diverse experiences"

"I refuse to be confined by social expectations and deliberately tackle topics that many shy away from, such as sexual liberation, agency, mental health and the complexities of self-love and self-discovery"

"Every piece I create is a testament to the power and resilience of women in our society"

"Being able to represent my country is a great honour, it’s one of those things that are really hard to describe but I know I want to do it to the best of my capabilities. I believe I’m not just representing my country but I’m representing the community that I come from, I’m representing my friends and my family, they celebrate me the most. They are what has made my journey even more meaningful"

"Playing the sport professionally always seemed like something very far from me considering that it was not professional for many years in my country. I have always been a hard worker, and somehow things aligned so that I could be where I am today"

"There isn’t too much adapting to do, rugby is all the same with different calls, Going into a national camp I just make sure that I am mentally ready because the level of intensity is on another level."

"I have always felt like my strength and conditioning journey only started when I got into the national team. Prior to that, I was just playing rugby without a clue in the world that I had to condition myself. Injuries were a common thing for me and I always think that not having that information was so unnecessary."

"I would like to help in youth development, I want to be able to help young athletes optimise their abilities and just to have the information on how to do that as they develop."

"A lot of things have been put in place so we can get better. In the past, I would have been screaming that the rugby unions can do better, and while they can still do better, I’m witnessing some great things and I am appreciative of the effort."

"I’ve always loved the idea of youth athletic development, as of recently I have been thinking about considering going the forwards coach route and there is also sport psychology. Honestly, I have no clear plan yet, but I’m excited about the possibilities, and I have to admit that it’s kind of scary"