By Boniface Keakabetse

While other kids go to school without any fuss, students at Khwai Primary School must make their way through buffalo-infested pathways, one of the most dangerous animals in the African bush.

Khwai Village is witnessing a growing concern for the safety and well-being of its young students according to councilor for Khwai- Mababe- Sankoyo Tshabang Paul.

Khwai Village whose residents originate inside Moremi Game Reserve is nestled within a rich ecological landscape, which, while beautiful, includes wildlife like buffaloes, lions, elephants and creatures of all sorts that can inadvertently create hazards for residents, particularly the younger population.

Buffaloes, known for their unpredictable and aggressive behavior, can be a significant risk, especially when students are heading to school while it is still

dark outside. The early morning hours not only see lower visibility but may also catch the buffaloes off guard, leading to unexpected confrontations.

Paul told The Okavango Express of the daily presence of buffaloes by the village bridge posing threat to children crossing in the morning on their way to school.

The councilor stated: ‘’ Just like cattle, buffaloes spend the night at the bridge doing nothing but napping. As tourist cars start to pass in the morning around 8:00 a.m., they withdraw into the woods and come back at night. In a sense, the bridge is their kraal.’’

Councilor Tshabang Paul

Councilor Paul has stepped up to address this vital issue: the timing of the primary school day. Her thoughtful suggestion is to start school later in the morning aiming to protect students from potential encounters with roaming buffaloes, which can pose serious risks as children make their way to school in the early hours.

Recognizing the potential dangers of this situation, councilor Paul said the community is proposing the adjustment of the school start time to allow for safer travel conditions for the children. By delaying the school day, parents and caregivers would find it easier to ensure that the children get to school safely, without the looming threat of a buffalo encounter.