Rollers factions strike deal
Spencer Mmui to run the society
The two warring factions at Township Rollers football club have reached a temporary compromise that will allow the club and financiers to seek a permanent solution to the impasse.
For the first time in the existence of the team, Township Rollers Football Club will have two chairpersons in their executive committee leading the society.
The team reached the temporary solution this Wednesday following weeks of disagreements and discontentment as to who should take the reins at the club after a court ruling had favoured those against the current club structure.
The arrangement, a practical compromise is expected to stand until a special congress is held to chatter the way forward.
Rollers sources say Spencer Mmui will take the fort of chairmanship of the society – a position he held at the time when the privatisation case headed for the courts. Walter Kgabung, who has been holding the fort will remain in his position but will be responsible for all league activities concerning the club.
The proposal will be put before the irate club financer, Jagdish Shah and expectations are that he will easily accept a genuine football involvement.
Smiles of untamed joy are believed to be the order within the walls of Rollers’ offices, but confusion threatens to sink in after bringing the two warring chairpersons into the same fold.
It is reported that a meeting this past Tuesday collapsed frantically as the men at the heart of the club could not agree on the way forward.
Unsuccessful proposals and initiatives have been put together and deliberated upon ever since the court declaration that Rollers Football Club, one of the most decorated clubs in the country should not be administered and controlled by a company.
Sources at the Gaborone West based giant confirmed to this publication that negotiations for a truce first hit a brick wall leaving the club at cross-roads.
The two warring factions have since failed to smoke the peace pipe when a group spearheaded by former premier league chairperson, Spencer Mmui and one Mookodi Seisa proposed that at least two members from the existing committee be co-opted to stand in the new interim committee before the chief financer is consulted regarding the way forward.
Highly placed sources say the titles of manager and secretary general were suggested to stand. Sydney Magagane and Khumoyaone Masonya hold the fort on these positions respectively.
On the other side, a group led by Walter Kgabung – the premier league board chairperson, insisted that an interim committee be elected and a special congress be held immediately to allow members and supporters to have an ultimate say on who should be inside the executive committee of the society.
Reportedly, the faction that sought legal redress vehemently disregarded the idea of a special congress and hopes to normalise the situation are slowly disappearing by the horizon.
All the while, it is widely acknowledged that supporters and members are likely to bring the Mookodi Seisa camp crumbling down. Somerset Gobuiwang, who is not in the picture, hopes that the special congress will be at his mercy.
The club’s current chairman, Walter Kgabung has reiterated in a press release that “The Executive Committee is working around the clock to address the issue of the club’s sustainability following the High Court judgement of the 6th August, 2015. The Executive Committee has met with the Applicants and Mr. Mmui to try and forge an amicable resolution of all issues arising from the judgment of Dambe J.”
According to Kgabung, the applicants have embarked on a desperate coup attempt on the duly elected Executive Committee and to establish in its stead an illegal committee made up of loyalists and apologists of the Applicants, chief among them, David Spencer Mmui.
“This is being done under the false pretext that the Judgement of Dambe has endorsed Mr. Mmui and his followers as the legitimate committee of the Society. Mmui and his followers have nonetheless failed to point out any wording in the judgment from which their claim arises. It falls to logic that if they believed in the correctness of their claims they would have approached the court to ensure compliance through contempt of court or other proceedings.”
Township Rollers impeccable sources have narrated a story on how Somerset Gobuiwang was collectively elevated to the plum position without qualms and misgivings. The teams’ confidential documents reveal that Rollers supporters ushered the club into the hands of Somerset Gobuiwang and confidently gave him a 51 % share while society remained with 49%.
Sometimes between 2010 and 2012 in Gaborone, Somerset and his Rollers foot soldiers called a special congress where the then chief financer admitted point blank that the club’s coffers are drying hence the need to source for an immediate financer.
It is claimed that characters in the mould of Mmui, Seisa and co agreed in unison in pursuit of a financer. Details on how Jagdish Shah was linked with the club are sketchy but it was almost a foregone conclusion that he was arriving to turn the club‘s fortunes around.
Club sources say Gobuiwang agreed without wavering to freely give Jagdish some of his shares. It is widely believed that Gobuiwang who had 51% at the time of Shah’s arrival could not steal his heart and let 11 percent of his shares to be in the hands of Shah.
The other 29 percent of his shares was acquired from the society who at the time had 49%.
After the dust settled, both Gobuiwang and Shah had an equal 40% with the society acquiring 20%.
DID YOU KNOW?
Township Rollers was formed back in 1961 in Gaborone, by a group of men and women who worked for the Public Works Department (PWD), a unit of Government under the then Bechuanaland Protectorate. At its inception the team was named Mighty Tigers. 
Mighty Tigers was one of the first teams to be formed in Gaborone.
Sport
Gloves off as Minister Rakgare blasts Zakhem, Jagdish
Minister Tumiso Rakgare, the Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture Minister, has declared war on Botswana Football League (BFL) Chairman Nicolas Zakhem and league treasurer Jagdish Shah, accusing them of disrupting the local football scene. He proclaimed, “We must confront these individuals who are wreaking havoc on football.” He further stated that the local football governing body is seemingly shielding these individuals.
In December 2023, the Botswana Premier League found itself embroiled in a controversy that sparked outrage among the clubs. This controversy was ignited by the league board’s autocratic decision to reduce the number of teams from 16 to 12 for the 2023/2024 season. The clubs were so incensed that they threatened to boycott league games.
Zakhem and Shah, in response to the shareholders’ move, took BFL shareholders to court, challenging their removal from the BFL board.
At the launch of Ashford Mamelodi’s book, ‘PROTECTING THE GAME’, Rakgare expressed his views, stating, “When we say protecting the game, we must indeed protect it. We must confront those who have disrupted our football by taking football matters to court ‘head on’, if we fail to do this, we are doing injustice to our football.”
He further lamented, “I am losing faith in the leadership of local football and I am saying this without fear or favour because we have individuals who seem to be protected by our local football governing body. Those people recently dragged football matters to court but are still recognized as football leaders. How can this be possible?”
Rakgare also pointed out that there are people who have been relentless in their pursuit of some of the clubs, even to the point of stripping them of their resources. This has left players relying on club equipment to play football and support their families struggling to meet their obligations.
“They have dreams of playing abroad to earn more money, but issues like these set them back. We have individuals like Tumisang Orebonye who are currently raising the country’s flag high and we have individuals such as Maano Ditshupo who have used their football skills to build a clinic in their home village. Imagine such a person being denied the opportunity to play football,” he noted.
Rakgare, expressing his determination, stated, “I am saying this with an open mind, I know some of them in the past threatened to support my political opponents at Mogoditshane, I don’t care, I will take them head on because I am ready as it is about Botswana,” he emphasized.
Zakhem, in response to Rakgare’s ‘persistent interference’ in football matters, pointed out that it poses a significant obstacle to the advancement of local football. He disclosed an instance where Rakgare publicly aired views on football matters on national television, insinuating that foreigners were dominating local football.
“He said live on national television that foreigners are the ones running local football, he was talking about me and Jagdish Shah. How can you go live on TV and say that? I am sorry to say that we are citizens of this country,” Zakhem retorted.
On the other hand, Rakgare noted that he has lost count of the number of esteemed sport administrators, politicians, and other leaders who, at the end of their careers, have threatened to author and publish books but have yet to follow through.
“In my world, Mr. Mamelodi, you join a very prestigious league of Batswana men and women such as the late former President Sir Quett Ketumile Masire (may his good soul rest in peace), Mr David Magang and Dr. Margaret Nasha, who through their books have ensured that many future generations of Batswana can benefit from their experiences and wisdom,” Rakgare concluded.
According to Rakgare, Bra Ash has spent more years in football administration than he has lived on planet earth. “Throughout his four decades of football administration, Bro Ash has worked with tens, if not hundreds of leaders that not only shaped football in Botswana, the region and the continent, but some whom have gone on to hold very important positions such as those of political leaders. In addition, I am talking of the likes of legislators Ray Matlapeng Molomo (may his soul rest in peace) and Philip Makgalemele; both from Botswana as well as Bomber Mthethwa from Eswatini, to name but a few,” he praised.
Sport
Zebras’ goal drought cause for concern
The Zebras have found themselves in a goal-scoring rut, drawing blanks in their recent international friendly tournament against Burundi and Rwanda in Madagascar. This lacklustre performance has raised concerns about the team’s readiness for the impending 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
In the world of football, the number of goals a team scores often dictates the game’s outcome. The ability to successfully navigate the opposing team’s defence and find the back of the net significantly boosts a team’s chances of victory.
However, the Zebras’ upcoming matches against Uganda and Somalia in June promise to be pivotal for their World Cup qualification bid. Therefore, it’s crucial for the team to start scoring if they aim to advance.
The Zebras’ head coach, Didier Da Rosa, has already demonstrated his mettle in his tenure, despite a rocky start. His first assignment was a 3-2 loss to Mozambique in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers opener in November 2023. Despite the defeat, Da Rosa saw potential in the team’s performance.
A week later, the Zebras bounced back with a commendable 1-0 victory over continental powerhouse, Guinea. This win at Obed Chilume Stadium signalled the Zebras’ readiness to compete at an international level.
With the World Cup qualifiers looming, observers believe Da Rosa needs to step up the team’s preparations. The upcoming matches against Somalia and Uganda are expected to be intense, and the Zebras cannot afford to be complacent.
The Zebras’ captain, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, is currently recovering from a shoulder injury, which could be a significant setback. However, his return to the team could provide a much-needed morale boost.
In addition, the inclusion of midfielder Brandon Wilson could be a game-changer, provided his citizenship documentation is finalised in time. Da Rosa has praised Wilson’s skills, stating, “Wilson’s mastery of the field, his spatial awareness, and ball reception mark him as a midfield marvel. His strategic positioning is a lesson in discipline, a skill set our team can greatly benefit from.”
Upon his return from Madagascar, Da Rosa expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “We picked up a lot of positives from the tournament. We managed to evaluate a few individuals. It was a very tactical tournament, we didn’t concede any goal but we didn’t score any goal, which is a worrying factor. I need to find solutions in that department as it is the most key aspect of the game as goals win you matches.”
Da Rosa also acknowledged the physicality of the matches, particularly the encounter with Rwanda. “I am positive about how we played but I feel we still need to play more matches so that we get up to the standard. We are anticipating the return of Ditlhokwe, Gape Mohutsiwa and Mpho Kgaswane who could play a vital role in our quest to cause an upset when we face Uganda and Somalia in June,” he said.
The Zebras’ 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Group is a tough one, with formidable opponents like Algeria, Somalia, Guinea, and Uganda. These teams are packed with players based in Europe, and each player will need to bring their best performance to secure a place in these crucial matches.
The Zebras’ journey to the World Cup will be a challenging one, but with the right preparation and mindset, they have the potential to make their mark on the international stage.
Sport
Cycling for the TKC starts 15 April 2024
Preparations for the ‘Cycling for the TKC event’ are at advanced stages as 30 cyclists from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa prepare themselves to endure the 1900km ride from Pretoria to the Walvis Bay via Lobatse in Botswana. The cycling challenge will start on April 15 to April 28, 2024. As one of the activities identified to commemorate 20 years since the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) member states signed an agreement to coordinate and manage TKC, the cycling event is expected to bring awareness of the corridor thereby marketing the corridor within the member states and beyond. The event will be conducted under the theme ‘Transforming the TKC into an economic corridor.’ Commenting on the theme,
The Executive Director of the Trans Corridor Secretariat Mr. Leslie Mlungisi Mpofu stated that the corridor transverses through some of the low-income communities and therefore the corridor is expected to inject economic impetus on these communities thereby creating much needed jobs, be it informal or formal employment. The objectives of the event are to promote spatial development initiatives on the Trans Kalahari Corridor and to create an increased awareness and usage of the TKC for both trade and tourism thereby increasing the volumes on the TKC. ‘ It is important to promote sustainable tourism and events like this are key in promoting tourism, economic growth, the environment as well as conservation. By showcasing the scenic beauty and cultural richness of the corridor, the event will foster deeper appreciation of the unique regions the corridor passes through’. Said Mr. Mpofu. Other objectives of the event include obtaining Member State commitment to the economic development through spatial development initiatives along the TKC, to promote road safety on the TKC in line with the UN Second Decade of Action for Road Safety as well as the African Union Road Safety Charter as well as to create a hype for the commemoration of the 20 years anniversary.
A Pledge to be signed by the ministers responsible for transport on behalf of their citizens to promote spatial development iniatitves, and committing to the development of the TKC will be handed over to the ministers for signature by the cyclists at Pretoria, Lobatse and Walvis Bay respectively. The cyclists will stop at several towns and villages along the corridor to engage with the community. Safety measures and protocols will be implemented to ensure the well-being and safety of all participants and these will include but not limited to police escort, medical support, route supervision and support. Measures have also been taken to ensure that the ride is memorable and enjoyable to all participants. Cycling clubs along the corridors members of the public who are interested are also encouraged to cycles with the key riders either to meet them before they arrive in settlement / town or to ride with them as the leave a settlement/town for a distance they so wish. Organizations, companies and public entities are also invited to participate through sponsorships.
The Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat (TKCS) is a secretariat of the Trans Kalahari Corridor Management Committee (TKCMC), a corridor management institution (CMI) that was established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The TKCS coordinates the implementation of the TKCMC trade and transport facilitation work programme. The CMI also is mandated to promote the Trans Kalahari Corridor which stretches about 1900 km from Gauteng, South Africa, across Botswana and ends at the Walvis Bay, Namibia.