Not All Angels Wear Capes

Friday 31st July 2020 hours before announcement of Botswana’s re-entering of extreme lockdown due to COVID19 complications, I encountered grace, humility, excellence and sheer serendipity.

You see, I am caregiver to my elderly parents, both of whom are chronically ill. 

Papa urgently needed replacement of a self-care medical device and was becoming worryingly anxious when were unable to access his GP.

It was now urgent that he we access the necessary medical help for him. The timing could not have been any worse.

Still on this day, I had to be a part of a Board meeting which had a sensitive  matter, including external stakeholders from outside of the country - via dial in.

Both situations required that I responsibly and responsively show up - fully.

To cut a long story short, because of the immediacy & maturity with which I received help - from one associate and a string of strangers who were willing to each go the extra mile, I was in essence, able to immerse myself in the Board meeting  - without worry & splintered focus. I was able to lead & be of value add in the critical dialogue.

At first I was deferred & told to possibly wait for tomorrow when offices on the other slide of town were open. I simply did not have the luxury of tomorrow. I didn’t.

Logistics were soon cleared via technology & I believe a great part... compassion.

Today I experienced a remarkable series of touch points with Batswana, who were aptly nimble, agile, empathetic, responsive, ethical & intentionally human-centered. All with the synergistic ‘Botho.’

Within a few hours of accessing the medical device required for self-care, the country went into extreme lockdown.

I saw each and every one of the healthcare value-chain players contribute towards the collective act of saving my Papa’s life. No they were not merely doing their job. No it was not business as usual. They were angels unaware.

Not all angels were capes.