The Football Hero: Terrence Moputhing
Dikgang Phillip Makgalemele | Friday December 5, 2008 00:00
He was 17 days older than me. We both grew up in the Gaborone main mall area where his parents owned a house in an up market plot that currently houses the head office of BEDIA. I was later to spend the better part of my life with him as a fellow football player, as his manager at Notwane in the 1990s, and a long term friend where upon we attempted setting up a business together.
When both of us were at primary, Terry was at Thornhill whilst I was at Lesedi. He later joined me there where we played for the school's football team. We stayed together as childhood neighbours and friends until we completed our primary education. We then rejoined after completing secondary education to try our luck in the elite football league, meeting at Mchacho (Black Peril). He then left for GU, but we kept the friendship bond, later meeting again in football when I was his manager at Notwane. Despite our age and friendship, he respected me as his manager, and we made sure that we separated the friendship and football administration roles.
Terry was a fighter and winner. As a football player, he mainly concentrated on getting results for his teams and he is one of the players in the history of Botswana who received many gold medals. At Notwane, he happened to have been part of the team in 1996 which made it to the last sixteen in a CAF competition when he was the captain. I still recall a game against a Swaziland team during that year when Notwane was leading 2-0. With about 10 minutes to the game, the team started playing to the delight of fans with Scara Kebalepile leading the pack. Terry could be overheard by us in the bench with his soft voice saying 'kana banna ga go dirwe jalo in a CAF game'.
As evidence of his success as a football player, he captained the national team at the age of 20 during the country's 20th anniversary celebrations when Botswana beat Malawi 2-0. When I was the President of the Botswana Football Association, we developed a book (Football Through The Years) when Botswana turned 40. The producer decided to interview 40 football fans to vote for the great player of the century, and Terry was voted fourth in a voting process that resulted in Willie Dennisson being voted the best player in 40 years.
Terry retired from active football both as a player and assistant coach of Notwane. Terry relocated to his home village of Kanye and immediately started a business enterprise in the construction industry.
The first years in business were tough and he died before enjoying the fruits of his perseverance especially that his business was now showing positive growth. But what pains me most is that my dear friend and brother will not be there to enjoy the fruits of his hard work. It is, however, consoling that he leaves behind a loving, caring and supportive family which I am sure will nurture the business on his behalf.
Mtera or Maun as I used to call him was ill for some time. Around June-July, 2008, I visited him at his parents' home in Kanye, and he looked quite ill, but later recovered to join me during my primary elections political campaigns at the end of August in Shoshong. But he still showed signs of illness, assuring me that he would recover to face the challenges ahead of us. Despite his deteriorating health which he fought as a great fighter, he focused on his business until the finishing line.
It pained me that when we were supposed to be celebrating our 43rd birthdays, I had to cope with the loss of a great friend and brother. It is clear that we can learn a lot from Terry's life. Part of the learning from his rich life is that perseverance pays. I will remember him as a true friend who also stood by me during good and trying times, an attribute which we need as people. I will also remember him as a friend who never pressurised me for any favours when I was the BFA President. May his good sole rest in peace.