Hippos in Botswana

Animals in Botswana

I’m worried. My son was a boy who loves nature and likes to wander. He is always collecting rocks, shells and things like that. I know he would never get into danger because he knew a lot about the mountains and desert of Kalahari. However, there’s a possibility that my son had been eaten or killed by a wild animal. That’s why I am investigating the animals of this area. Here you can see some of the pictures I’ve taken during last two weeks. I’ve found them especially near the river of Katsana, around our village and the school of my son.


I found these two hippos in the river. Although they seem very heavy, they can attain speeds of up to 45km/h out of water. They're more agile than they look. The hippo is considered by many experts and people to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. They've all killed way more people than Africa's lions have. The hippo is extremely aggressive, unpredictable and unafraid of humans. I’ve investigated some cases and most deaths occur when the victim gets between the hippo and deep water or between a mother and her calf.

I’ve also found some wilddogs but they don’t seem to be dangerous for humans. They are instinctively aggressive but they rarely attack humans.

Tomorrow I will continue explaining what I’ve found but now I have to go to work. Thank you for your attention. I know you are a good woman.
Ernest Molai Pakotati

Grace's feelings

I remember very well other times when we were a happy family with our children and our works. Grace and me, we are both teachers and we love our profession.

Yesterday night, my wife and I were trying to sleep, because it has been many days that neither of us can sleep, but unsuccessfully. I realised that Grace was crying again and I didn’t have any words for her. I told her that our son will appear again and she explained this to me:

“I am loosing the faith in God, dear. Our family has always been kind and warm and we have gone to all Sundays’ Mass. We have believed in God’s Word. But now, God is not helping us anymore. After three months and a half of Thobiso’s disappearance and without having any trace what could have happened. I think we should start considering about his dead.”


I couldn’t believe what Grace was telling me – “What are you saying, Grace? Do you really think that our son is dead? There is still hope! The investigation hasn’t finished, which means it is still active and we will never surrender until there is absolutely no hope left. In fact, we do not have any police news to think the opposite. God will help us very soon, because we are good Christians!”



She started to scream and shout among sobs and tears: "I need my son returns soon! I need my son with me again! Please Thobiso come home now!!" After this, my wife begged me to forgive her for being so pessimistic and she told me that she still had hope to see Thobiso alive very soon.

Religion in Botwsana

In this letter we can see that Ernest Molai was Christian, but what other religions are in Botswana?

Freedom of religion is respected generally in Botswana, that means that any type of religion is constitutionally guaranted, permited and protected. After the published results of Cens 2001, we can say that Christianity is the dominant religion because of direct European influency through misioners and colonizers.

The rest of religions are:

• Badimo
• Muslim
• Hindu
• Other african religions
• No religion

Ernest’s letter to Ramotswe

At the beginning of the second week, a letter was received to the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Mma Makutsi read it out to Mma Ramotswe.








The letter said:

Missing boy

Thobiso is eleven years old although he looks like nine. He likes wandering and he is very interested in nature, rocks, bushes and minerals. Two months ago, he went to have a walk near Kalahari Dessert and that was the last time he was seen.

Ernest’s letter to the police

Dear gentlemen:

My name is Ernest Molai and I am a teacher at the school of Katsana but it doesn’t matter now !

I am writting to you because I am very worried about my son, Thobiso, who vanished yesterday evening. He is just eleven years old, although he looks like nine.

In the beginning, I did not attach importance to it because Thobiso enjoys wandering through the mountains watching nature. He used to do it after classroom, but he had never been out until midnight. However, yesterday he didn’t come back home.

I have been looking for him all night long in the places where he used to go. Unfortunately I have not been able to meet him anywhere. I only hope that he will be fine. I do not know what I must think about it. I am afraid something terrible might have happened to him.

I would be grateful if you could help me to find my son !

Yours faithfully,

Ernest Molai