Suicide has become a social spectre that is deeply disturbing both government and the World Health Organisation. This year alone, some 100 people have taken their lives in Botswana
Very few people will forget Monday October 11, 1999. On that day, Chris Phatswe, a disgruntled Air Botswana pilot who had been on sick leave and declared physically unfit to fly, commandeered one of Air Botswana’s three ATR-42 aircraft.
He took off from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, frantically circled the airport and radioed control, tower a simple message: “I intend to kill myself.”
When the aircraft ran out of fuel after a tense-two hours in which the control tower desperately tried to dissuade from crashing into the airport terminal building where 50 passengers were in endanger, the plane ploughed into the airline’s two other ATR-42s on the tarmac. The tree planes went up in flames, killing Phatswe instantly.
Suicide is a sensitive issue, often accompanied by a deep rooted fear and secrecy. Yet it is a stark reality in our community.
Phatswe’s self-immolation received colourful publicity, much like the scores of suicide cases involving Batswana men who had taken their own lives after a spot of passion killing. However, many suicides never make it to media platforms because the business of living is a personal occupation.
Like the right to life death can be a choice. The pro-choice is often upheld by liberals who are adamant that it’s an ‘honourable’ act that should be a legal human right; while religious and cultural leaders who believe it’s toying with God.
However, in the midst of this, it is the ones closest to the deceased who suffer the most. With September 10 this year set aside as World Suicide Prevention Day, it is clear that suicide is a major problem in many societies. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the global level of suicide has increased at about 60 percent in the past four decades. Botswana Police statistics note that in 2011, about 300 suicide cases were reported. In 2012 there were about 330 and this year, an approximated 100 have already been registered.
Loved ones of the deceased often bear the brunt and have to deal with the loss, guilt and shock of losing someone under such dire circumstances.
Vivian Gunda, Director of Lifeline Botswana, asserts that some individuals’ shock and lack of support makes it difficult to cope when someone they know commits suicide.
“We extend a hand to those who have lost a loved one because grief is not easy to deal with. We approach each case individually because people are different because there’s no universal solution to dealing with life challenges, loss or grief but in all cases, we encourage the bereaved to focus on the positive memories and let go of the negative, it’s shown to improve the healing,” she explains.
When I meet Lame Moagi* she’s a bit skeptical about speaking to me because she still nurses an emotional wound. Last year in December, she lost her older brother who committed suicide.
Not surprisingly, statistics state that most suicides occur around the festive period. Lame’s brother was a jovial and successful young man who had recently graduated and was six months into a new job at one of the local mines. It was difficult for the Moagi family to come to terms with his death because he seemed to have his life together.
“There was no suicide note or traces of what could have gone wrong. That perhaps is the worst part about it, not knowing why. Over the months I have accepted that this action was conclusive individual reality. My brother was just 27 years old but also intelligent. I cannot begin to imagine what could have compelled him to end his life. The day before he died he was notably quiet…I assumed he was exhausted from all the festive traveling, partying and visiting relatives. What hurt more was my mother’s piercing scream when she found his body. He killed himself by consuming rat poison right under out nose,” she says quietly.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) an estimated 3000 people commit suicide daily. A further one million suicides are reported annually. Suicide is said to be influenced by psycho-social, cultural and environmental risk factors. Researchers are adamant that adequate prevention can reduce suicide incidents. WHO has decided to include political action and leadership to develop national responses to prevent suicide.
Phemo Moletje* once tried to commit suicide but his actions were thwarted by his friend.
“I was nervous and my mind was clogged I could not see the silver lining around the dark cloud hanging over me. I had mounting financial problems, issues with romantic affairs and my relations with my child’s mother were strained. I couldn’t talk to anyone because as black men, we are socialized to be strong and handle life’s punches as they come, so I bottled everything up. I instead turned to binge drinking to numb the emotional pain. Anything, to forget how inadequate I felt…”
Things didn’t improve and he began withdrawing and losing interest in his usual daily activities.
“In retrospect, I seriously wanted to die. On the day I had pre-empted to end my life on I borrowed a rope from my neighbour. I gave him a shoddy reason why I needed it. I think he was suspicious and may have called this particular friend who lives nearby because he arrived hastily and asked what I wanted to do. I acted surprised but he insisted I return the rope. We then sat down and had a long chat. It was embarrassing but after the talk I felt like a load had been removed from my chest. It took a long time to return to my normal self but at least I accept that challenges are part of life. That experience made me appreciate the solace of spirituality.”
In recent years there have also been escalated murder suicides, amongst lovers. Gunda says Lifeline deals with many issues of men who cannot come to terms with the situations in their romantic relationships.
“Some of them feel that they invest a lot only to be shortchanged in the end. For example, a man can take a woman through school or support her business projects, only for her to want out of the relationship in the end. This frustrates some men, especially if they are not prepared to part ways with the woman,” she points out.
She further asserts that there are varied social and personal factors which contribute to individuals attempting suicide.
“Some people experience hopelessness sometimes due to a health condition, abuse, relationship problems or financial debts. Most of the time they see no way out of their current situation, or don’t know where to solicit assistance,” she says.
Although suicide is a growing problem in the country, the main challenge faced by the organization is limited resources, which makes it difficult to reach out to more people.
“As you know, we have experienced an economic downturn and we are often told that there’s no money. We wish we could receive more support from civil society. We currently have only two centres in Gaborone and Maun which means we can’t reach to other areas, especially in rural parts of the country, considering that our toll free line only provisions for two
