risk of violence

 “Of course it’s not dangerous”. The two policemen I ask about the ongoing demonstration stare at me in disbelief. What do I expect, acts of violence? This is Botswana, here one demonstrates with song and dance. Nothing to fear whatsoever, and yes, sure, I can have a look. Peaceful demonstrations have been planned for ten days in a row. In the town center of Gaborone hundreds of people have gathered around a huge tree. The sky is lead-colored, rain is expected any time soon. Unionists make speeches, the crowd, public service workers mostly, are chanting and dancing their approval. A salary-raise of 16% is their demand. Quite a figure, I’d say. I’m mostly met with silence when I ask for further explanations. Some people say they are structurally underpaid, and the government is unwilling to improve their situation. The Monitor, a local newspaper, states: “..the strike is a loud statement calling for improved conditions for workers..”; ”unionist cannot afford to keep silent on important national issues, one of which is the salary disparity among the working class..” ; ”..the government continues to fund questionable projects..”.Some elderly ladies present, I suspect, are here mainly to join in the powerful waves of song and dance. Joining forces to make a voice heard, to make demands more powerful. Their spirituals make my spine tingle. Even though I don’t understand their language, I sense what they are trying to convey. I strongly admire this harmonious way of making a point. Sad to learn that only a day or so later the Botswana government forbade the demonstrations. There was, it was officially stated, too big a risk of violence breaking out. I can’t help but wondering on whose account that would have been.