As an early age swimmer, Melodi Saleshando daughter of Dr Gagoitsewe and Ntsebo Saleshando, was already a keen swimmer. Her potential was instantly recognised by Solomon Mpusetsang of Propellers Swimming Academy who remains her coach to date.
At the time she started swimming lessons at the club, she was still learning the ropes, but it was not long before she was roped into the Propellers Long Term Athlete Development Plan.
“I dominated from an early age, which was an advantage for me against my age mates. I appreciated feedback from my coach and made sure that I quickly fixed my mistakes. I did other activities on the side that kept me fit and gave me strength,” the Gaborone-born Saleshando said.
She said she enjoyed swimming as it was fun. At eight years, she did not take the sport seriously but her coach introduced her to the fundamentals of swimming.
It was then that she realised that swimming could take her places. It was in 2017 when she announced herself to the country when she made her debut at the Botswana Swimming Sport Association (BSSA) National Championships. Saleshando competed in the Under-8 category and proved that she could be competitive.
“I gained my first exposure during the South Africa Level Three Regional swimming championships. I won five medals in my debut regional swimming gala. Early this year, I returned to the regional championships in Pretoria and won six medals (three gold and three silver medals),” she said.
Her first national team call-up was in 2022 when she was part of a team sent to compete in the African Swimming Confederation (CANA) Zone IV championships in Zambia. She won a medal in the 100m backstroke.
Her second assignment was in Angola during the 2023 CANA Zone IV competition and she brought home five medals. During the 2023 BSSA National Championships, Saleshando dominated her age group, winning gold medals in all the events. She was the overall best female swimmer.
Saleshando swims all four strokes; backstroke, butterfly, freestyle and breaststroke. She is currently doing Form One at Maruapula School.
Her mother, Ntsebo said Melodi became a swimmer due to the influence of her older sister, Oratile.
“Of course, it all started with getting her water safe and with time she graduated into a competitive swimmer. During the early days, she was just participating in galas. However, she was never discouraged. She continued to train and along the way, there were small wins, with her getting into the C team at school. Then the following year she was selected to represent the school. She was later selected to join the A team at school,” she said.
Ntsebo said one of the exciting competitions that Melodi competed in was the Botswana Games 2019.
She said another landmark was when BSSA selected her daughter to join the national team for the first time in 2022.
“Swimming is indeed expensive, we do what we can to fundraise to support her dreams. The training costs, competition tour fees and competition attire all amount up. As parents, we shoulder most of the costs and it is tough,” Ntsebo said.
Her coach, Mpusetsang said Saleshando is a rare breed and it has never happened like that in Botswana.
“I have informed Melodi that she is ready for the next stage of the competition. This year we intend to make the South Africa Junior National Championships qualifying time. Next year she should be there, not for a medal but to finish in the top eight,” he said.
Saleshando is the second-best junior swimmer in the country behind Kyra Harry. The top junior swimmer, Harry, 16, leads the pack with 28.89s in 50m freestyle while Saleshando’s best time is 29.08s.
“Saleshando’s strong point is 50m breaststroke, which she swims in 36.00s,” he said.
Mpusetsang said the plan is for Saleshando to push for a place to swim in the Commonwealth Youth Games, Africa Junior Championships and World Junior Championships.
“When a swimmer is growing at such a fast pace, it is pressure to us as coaches. It means we must also develop ourselves so that we match up with her standards. We upgrade ourselves with assistance from Pretoria,” he said.
Mpusetsang said although Saleshando is doing so well, there will be a moment when she will face challenges that can even make her think about quitting.
“She is still a young girl, her body is still developing and there will be a moment when she will think of leaving everything.
All the dreams that she has now of becoming a world-class swimmer might change, so as coaches we must prepare for such moments,” Mpusetsang said.
Fact file
Full name: Melodi Saleshando
Date of birth: September 18, 2009
Place of birth: Gaborone
Sport: Swimming
Club: Propellers Swimming
Academy
Height: 1.63cm
Hobbies: Crocheting, baking, and
cooking
Favourite meal: Lasagne
Role model: Chad le Clos
