Mosah Mokganedi
8 October 2008
The softball family is mourning the death of one of the longest serving players Seanokeng Portia Mokgotlhe who passed away on Friday at the Garankuwa Hospital in South Africa.
At 52 years, Mokgotlhe was the oldest player in local softball. She played for BDF IX women and doubled as national team coach.
She died a week after being hospitalised following a motor accident in South Africa. She was injured when her car collided with a truck. Affectionately known as 'Ausi Posh' in softball circles, Mokgotlhe started playing for BDF IX when it was formed in 1987. She will be remembered as a loyal softball servant.
Her teammate, Linki Maleshane said Mokgotlhe got trapped in the car after it got under the trailer of the truck. Maleshane who was in the car sustained minor injuries during the accident. She described Mokgotlhe as a close friend and a 'mother' who she relied on in time of need.
BDF IX manager, Montwedi Simon described Mokgotlhe's death as a blow to the softball family. He said she was like a mother to her teammates. He said at times she gave money to players for transport and helped them when they had social problems. "We are definitely going to miss her," Simon said yesterday.
Mokgotlhe was at some point the assistant coach for the BDF IX men side. She once played for the national team.
Kabelo Kwape of BDF IX said they have lost an icon in Mokgotlhe. "She was a mother, a sister and everything to us," he said. Kwape added that Mokgotlhe was a committed player and a leader who rallied teammates when things were tough. He stated that she played a parental role to players and washed their uniforms.
Caroline Mogashoa who played with Mokgotlhe at both BDF IX and the national team is still struggling to come to terms with her death.
"She said Mokgotlhe was a hard worker who believed in positive results. Most importantly, she remained loyal to BDF IX when it was going through difficult moments. Magashoa said she joined BDF IX a few years after Mokgotlhe. She said her departed colleague did not hold any grudge against her even after she moved to another club. "She always gave advice after games even when we were playing against her team," she said.
"We are definitely going to miss her. She was an inspiration to all of us," said the president of the Botswana Softball Association (BSA) Marumo Morule.
He said Mokgotlhe was a dedicated player who had committed her whole life to softball.
He said she continued to play even after retiring from the civil service two years ago.
"She was also a role model to young players," Morule said. Mokgotlhe will be laid to rest this weekend. She is survived by four children.
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