Laughter as ex-BNSC boss bids affiliates farewell

She mentioned Sexton Kowa of Botswana Football Association (BFA) and Botswana Softball Association president Marumo Morule as the most difficult characters that she has worked with. She remembered how Kowa became disruptive deliberately in a meeting to resolve the crippling factional fight in football in 2003. Makgato-Malesu demonstrated how Kowa would talk on his phone to challenge her to call him to order. 'Mosadi ga a ikalela gore gololola, a o nneelele dintsa tsame dijo tuu,' she demonstrated to the laughing crowd.

She said that Morule on the other hand never looked satisfied with answers given by her.

She said the BSA boss always grilled her. At the Saturday meeting Morule was at it again as he demanded to know why the Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC) did not appear in the treasurer's report when it is funded through BNSC. Makgato-Malesu explained that BNOC is normally not included in the BNSC reports because it is not an affiliate.

However, she promised that the matter would be looked into. But the unsatisfied Morule demanded a more convincing reason. He only gave up when Makgato-Malesu who could not tolerate him anymore told him that: 'Now you are starting to behave like a man.'

Makgato-Malesu caused more laughter when she narrated an incident, which occurred when horse riders went for a tournament. The riders were asked not to bring their horses as the organisers will give them horses. But the horses they were given looked confused and did not even finish the race. The light moments delighted affiliates who showered Makgato-Malesu with praises and wished her well in her future endeavors. Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) president, Gift Nkwe told her that he has no doubt that she will do well because she is a hard worker. 'Thank you very much, you have been like a mother to me, I wish you good health,' said the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) president, Gordon Modukanele. Batshidi Tsae of Botswana Inter-grated Sports Association (BISA) thanked Makgato-Malesu for having brought a lot of professionalism to sport. But Kowa was not sure whether to thank her saying she had abused him a lot during her tenure.

Makgato-Malesu said they learnt a lot from each other as sports administrators. 'Thank you very much for contributing to my growth as well as that of sports in Botswana. I hope you will give my successor the same support you gave me,' she said. Makgato-Malesu promised that she would always be available to help sport where she can.