Five things I love about Francistown
Ghetto, like superglue to paper, is a moniker that has stuck to the second capital, every attempt to get rid of it by the civic leadership ending in total failure.
Personally, I don’t know what all the fuss is about! It’s just a nickname, but apparently it’s a name that turns away investors, or so we’re led to believe.
There’s no two way about it, the city is Ghetto-fabulous!
Here are five things that make this historic place the best in the country.
HOMELY
Francistown feels like home. There’s a village within the city and that’s what makes it great. Seen by the visiting youth as too slow, this city grinds at its own pace. Don’t get it twisted though, F/town has many heavy hitters with bank balances enough to power a failing Eskom. They, however, choose to lay low and not flaunt their wealth. Seeing a certain Mr Mbakile getting a P20 haircut from a makeshift barbershop in Area W or Monarch is perfectly normal in our ticklish Ghetto.
WALK THIS WAY
Getting around is no big deal in Francistown. You simply walk. From The Voice office to Cresta Thapama, then to High Court followed by a stopover at Nyangabgwe (either the Hospital or the Hill), it’s all easy walking. This is made possible by the way Blue Jacket Street was designed. A stroll down this beautiful, bustling street never seems like any other walk; it’s more like sightseeing! Before you know it, you are at Nzano Mall having barely broken sweat.
If you don’t want to walk, hop on one of the city’s many (and I do mean many!) taxis and it’ll drop you right at your doorstep. Yes taxis here still take passengers to the gate, and for only P8. Did you know that Francistowners use taxis, there are no combis, except for the Gerald Estate route. Now, tell me this is not a special city.
LITERACY
This is one of the standout observations I picked early since my arrival in this city nine years ago. Almost all the senior citizens are well educated, including those in the smaller villages on the outskirts of Francistown. Old timers here can hold an intelligent conversation in the Queen’s language. Kgotla meetings in the Ghetto and surroundings are not your usual ‘re kopa terata’ engagements. The old folk and elders here talk government policies and constitutional reforms.
LOVELY LADIES
Tall, dark and slender! We’ve supermodels strutting their stuff down Blue Jacket Street every day; beautiful with good skin and they’re not even trying. Makes it very difficult to concentrate during deadline day!
This is no open invitation, but Ghetto chicks got that thing, even the yellow bones here slap differently. Anyway, one of these local ladies captured my heart so nowadays it’s very much a case of look but no more touching.
MY ZIMBO HUSTLERS
It’s fascinating to watch Zimbabweans eke out a living in Francistown. Over the years I’ve made friends with a lot of them. Some don’t have proper travelling documents but they earn an honest living in this second city. Hundreds of Zimbabwean women come to Francistown everyday to buy stock from Chinese shops. This has created employment for a lot of SMMEs along the Haskins Street (now known as Bulawayo Street). This street has become one of busiest in the city, and is dominated by our northern neighbours. One close friend of mine who used to ride a bicycle now owns two cars and a car wash. Whenever I need inspiration, I take a walk along the Bulawayo Street for a chit chat with my Zimbo brothers and sisters.
