BERRY HEART

Whenever life hands me a major achievement, my heart always finds its way back to one person, my late my mother.

Graduating with a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property with flying colours, consulting for jurisdictions and international organisations has been a lifelong dream. As a little girl I told my family exactly who I would become. I dreamed it. I spoke it. I worked for it.

And today, I wish my mother were here to see it.
When she passed away in 2003, I was not given anything that belonged to her. But there was one thing I could not let go of.

This vintage jersey.

As her little stylist, I loved it. So, in the midst of grief and confusion, I quietly stole it from her funeral and kept it safe. For over two decades, it has remained one of my most treasured possessions not because of its value, but because it carries a piece of her.

Today, I wear it with pride.

I dedicate this look to you, Mom.
I dedicate every late night, every sacrifice, every qualification, every victory, and every achievement to you.

I hope heaven is celebrating with me today.

Your loud, assertive, fearless, and confident daughter is becoming everything she promised she would be.

Forever your daughter,

Namokenti. Kentana. Dye. Keotshepile.

❤️

LESSONS FROM MY ACADEMIC THESIS: PROTECTION OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FOR ETSHA WOMEN HAND-WOVEN BASKETS

One of the most fascinating lessons from my academic research on the protection of Geographical Indications (GIs) for the Etsha women handwoven baskets is that Botswana is sitting on a goldmine of unique products that can drive economic growth, create jobs, and preserve our cultural heritage.

A Geographical Indication protects products whose quality, reputation, or characteristics are linked to a specific place. Think of Champagne in France or Rooibos in South Africa.

Botswana has several products that qualify for GI protection, including Etsha handwoven baskets, Botswana beef, Kalahari salt, Morula, Sengaparile other indigenous products tied to our communities and environment.

Unfortunately, many African products have been commercialised elsewhere or imitated without communities receiving recognition or economic benefits because they were not adequately protected.Did you know that Companies in EU and USA have patented Sengaparile from Kgalagadi, make painkillers with it which we buy at exorbitant prices in pharmacies?

Protecting our GIs would empower local producers, increase exports, attract tourism, preserve traditional knowledge, and ensure that the people behind these products benefit from their value.

Intellectual Property is not just law, it is a tool for economic development.

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