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Botswana: Mothering the Stars
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The Voice (Francistown)
15 April 2008
Posted to the web 15 April 2008
Dubani-Wa-Dubani
Francistown
While to many the trio of Zebras' stars, Pontsho and Dirang Moloi and their younger brother Pako, who has made a name for himself with the Under-23s, are heroes who deserve to be worshipped, to their mother, Sannah, they are just ordinary boys with special talent.
"They are my boys. I am proud of them, of course, but to me they are sons not stars," the 47-year-old mum of four males told Voice Sport when we visited to talk to her about raising stars.
"Their being in the public eye is a source of pride, joy and pain. I am proud of their achievements and this gives me a lot of joy. But I get hurt whenever I read negative stories about them in the papers. I have nothing against anybody writing stories about my boys. What hurts me is that most of those who write negative stories never bother to talk to them to get their side of the story. Such stories hurt me so much that I sometimes think of asking the boys to stop playing altogether but I cannot do that because they love the sport and make a living off it. I think being in the public eye will help them develop better as people," she said, adding, "I do my best to make them understand that what ever mistake is news and the papers will blow it up."
Mma Moloi always knew she had stars in her hands. "I noticed the footballer in each when they were young. They could not stop themselves from kicking anything resembling a ball. Pontsho was the most interesting. He was calling for a pass and castigating mates for letting the team down in his sleep. I have never doubted their talent and have always supported them in their careers. I am happy their love for football has kept them from harmful habits such as drugs and smoking."
She never doubted them. "Even when Pontsho and Dirang brought forms for me to fill so that they join the Notwane junior teams way back in 1997 I had no problem with that. I had watched them develop as they, together with their elder brother, Lefty, who plays for Paymasters Spurs grew up in White City. I knew they had the talent to make it in football."
The boys have always had the mother's support. The proud mother reveals that "watching them fills my heart with pain sometimes because it reminds me of one man who, like me, never doubted their talent. He was Freddie Goepamang and it's a pity he died before he could see them play competitive football. I remember how he used to sit and watch them play for hours and always said some day they would be stars. I can only wish he were here to watch them."
If you expect to see the footballers' mother basking in the glory of her sons, you will be disappointed. She stays clear of the public glare. "I am a shy person and do not see the need to make people aware that I am their mom. I just pay and sit in the stands like anybody else. Even if one of them scores, I won't jump up and down, scream or do anything to show my joy. I celebrate in my heart."
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But sitting in the stands has its own disadvantages. "I must add that I hate it when fans insult players and match officials. Insolent language has no place in sport."
The proud mother, however, finds it difficult when her sons play against her favourite team. "Although I relish in my son's successes, it becomes very painful when either Pontsho or Dirang score against Notwane because as much as I want my sons to succeed I always want Notwane to win. Pontsho also understands this and says that is why he does not celebrate when he scores for Chiefs against Notwane."
And, of course, she wished they wore gold and black. "I would have loved them to have played for Notwane all their lives but I understand they have to make a living out of football and have no problem with them playing where they can advance their careers. I dream of them playing abroad someday."
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