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BFA to pay Taylor P330 000

Botswana Football Association (BFA) has been ordered to pay its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Goabaone Taylor over P330 000 as a compensation for her unfair dismissal last year February.[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”1,2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]

Taylor, who was appointed the first ever woman CEO in April 2021 was fired by the local football governing body on 18th February after she was placed on suspension pending a disciplinary hearing. She was dismissed from her position after she was found guilty by a BFA tribunal on the charge of misallocating FIFA funds amounting to P6.1 million.

Last year BFA president Maclean Letshwiti reported the matter to FIFA and the football governing body responded by sending a delegation to Botswana. The two men assignment was to investigate the alleged misappropriation but found that the money was not stolen but used in other BFA activities.

However, FIFA did not sanction the association because the funds were not embezzled. The funds were diverted to other BFA projects instead of FIFA sanctioned initiatives. Although she had an impressive resume from the corporate world, the former CEO was sacked less than a year into her three-year contract at Lekidi.

Taylor had raised four issues for the court’s determination – whether or not the dismissal of the applicant (Goabaone Taylor) by the respondent (BFA) was substantively fair? Whether or not the dismissal of the applicant by the respondent was procedurally fair and if the dismissal was unfair, whether or not she is entitled to the relief of reinstatement and lastly if dismissal was unfair and reinstatement is not appropriate, whether or not the applicant is entitled to the alternative relief of compensation in the quantum of 24 months.

When delivering the judgment, Industrial Court Judge Annah Petje said Taylor’s dismissal was both procedurally and substantively unfair hence the court finds it to be unlawful as it lacked fairness and even violated BFA’s on employee manuals.

On the compensation of her unfair dismissal Judge Petje awarded her six months’ salary as compensation although she had filed for compensation of the remaining two years of her contract. The Judge further revealed that their hands were tied and the 24 months compensation is a bit farfetched.

“Again, the exceptionality that is being mentioned in the judgment does not exist in almost every labor dispute in our jurisdiction,” reads part of the judgment.

The industrial court also reached a common ground that the dismissal was a result of unfair process and bad faith by BFA and therefore they directed BFA to pay its former boss – Taylor six months monetary wages.

According to the judgment, Taylor was paid a basic salary of P55, 000 while the rest was allowances and they will not form part of an award of compensation value of P330, 000. The Judge further ordered the local governing body to pay the sum directly to Taylor on or before the 28th March 2023.

On her submission of being granted her reinstatement in the position of the CEO, Judge Petje said the court was not told whether the position is still vacant, Petje said after examining the manner in which the charges were framed and how the applicant (Taylor) was treated during the disciplinary hearing:

“This confirms the evidence of Alec Fela Monyake that the respondent is very hostile towards the applicant. He mentioned that the hostility arose over a text message that she sent to her former subordinate where she stated that she could have the entire NEC removed. I am certain that the relationship between the parties would not enhance the objectives of the BF, therefore the court will not order a reinstatement,” reads part of the Judgement which was delivered on Tuesday.”

Meanwhile Taylor was representing herself while BFA was represented by Joseph Akoonyatse of Akoonyatse law firm.[/ihc-hide-content]

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BFA slow-stepping efforts in Wilson’s quest for citizenship?

18th March 2024

A quarter of a year ago, Zebras’ strategist, Didier Gomes Da Rosa, took a decisive step by enlisting midfielder Brandon Wilson, who flexes his soccer prowess at Ha Noi Football Club (FC) in Vietnam.

Yet, the 27-year-old sensation found himself benched before the game even started, due to his Australian nationality, despite his roots firmly planted in Gaborone, Botswana.

Fast forward to today, and Wilson’s name is still missing from the latest Zebras’ lineup for the forthcoming four-nation friendly extravaganza set to unfold in Madagascar.

Pundits from the local football arena argue that this tournament, starring The Zebras alongside Madagascar, Rwanda, and Burundi as hosts, presented a golden ticket for Wilson to unveil his skills, merge his playstyle with his teammates, and pass down his seasoned insights to the squad.

Looking ahead, The Zebras face a rugged path in their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Group, battling titans like Algeria, Somalia, Guinea, and Uganda—teams studded with Europe-based talents. Integrating Wilson into the team now would be nothing short of strategic.

Amidst this saga, a ray of hope shined through a High Court ruling, suggesting the Botswana government’s nod towards dual citizenship, potentially giving the BFA the nudge it needed to expedite Wilson’s case.

Yet, as 2023 unfurls, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Anna Mokgethi, hinted at a six-month timeline to legislating this change. “We’re laying down the legal and procedural groundwork to enable dual citizenship. This process will span at least six months.

This waiting game could be pegged to aligning with the court of appeal’s decision.

“This buffer is designed to ensure a seamless transition, enabling talents like Wilson to clinch their Botswana passports and don the Zebras jersey,”

On the V.League 1 Table (Vietnam) – 2023/24 front, Wilson’s squad, Ha Noi FC, is holding sixth place after 13 showdowns, boasting 19 points—a commendable feat for their freshman year in Vietnam’s Elite League.

Since his leap to Ha Noi FC on September 5, 2023, Wilson has left his mark on 15 matches across domestic and AFC Champions League arenas, an impressive feat for his inaugural season.

In a recent WeekendSport dialogue, Da Rosa sung praises of Wilson’s gameplay. “Wilson’s mastery of the field, his spatial awareness, and ball reception, earmark him as a midfield marvel. His strategic positioning is a lesson in discipline, a skill set our team can greatly benefit from.

“He’s a crucial cog in our quest toward the 2026 World Cup dream,” Da Rosa said.

 

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Kemoeng’s departure opens doors for School sports – BOSETU

18th March 2024

The departure of Kitso Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture has been met with a sigh of relief by many, particularly by the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU). Kemoeng’s tenure as Permanent Secretary was marked by a lack of progress and engagement on the issue of reinstating school sports, which has been a crucial aspect of child development in Botswana.

BOSETU had accused Kemoeng of being a stumbling block to the resuscitation of school sports, citing his arrogant and anti-engagement attitude towards the issue. His transfer to the Botswana Public Service College has been seen as a positive development by the union, as it signals a clear message that non-delivery and lack of vision will not be tolerated within the government.

The union has expressed confidence in the new Permanent Secretary, Bright John, who is expected to bring a fresh perspective and understanding of the importance of sports and culture in the holistic development of children. The absence of school sports in Botswana has had a detrimental impact on the youth and the development of sports in the country, and it is imperative that immediate action is taken to reinstate these programs.

According to BOSETU the departure of Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture is a step in the right direction towards reviving school sports in Botswana. The union and other stakeholders are hopeful that under the leadership of Bright John, progress will be made in ensuring the well-being and development of the youth through sports. It is time to breathe a sign of relief and look forward to a brighter future for school sports in Botswana.

 

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Will Makhwengwe’s exit halt Tafic’s remarkable streak?

24th February 2024

The abrupt severance of ties between Tafic Football Club and its erstwhile commander-in-chief, Philemon Makhwengwe, colloquially celebrated as the “Spin Doctor”, has sent ripples through the football aficionado community, given his laudable stewardship in the 2023/24 Botswana Premier League (BPL) crusade. The narrative of Matjimenyenga, as Tafic is affectionately dubbed, narrates a saga of resilience, having faced the ignominy of relegation to the Debswana First Division North on two occasions prior.

The chronicle of their fall from grace in 2018, settling at a dismal 14th place with a record marred by more losses than victories, delineates a club in dire need of strategic revival. Fast-forward to the present campaign, and the transformation under Makhwengwe’s aegis has been nothing short of remarkable. At the cessation of 16 rounds, Tafic perched at the fifth position with 24 points is a testament to an emboldened renaissance.

However, the plot thickened on the 20th of February, 2024, as Tafic pronounced the departure of Makhwengwe from his coaching pedestal via a Facebook communiqué, a move that bewildered the football-watching public. Discrepancies surfaced, with reports attributing his departure to discord with the club’s upper echelons over proposed adjustments within the technical team, painting a picture of internal discord.

Makhwengwe, a tactician revered for his prowess in architecting footballing triumphs, has been instrumental in Tafic’s ascent from the quagmire of league standings to a commendable sixth position. This leaves the footballing realm in suspense over Tafic’s trajectory post-Makhwengwe, especially after their recent conquest over Gaborone United, thrusting them into a formidable league position.

Amidst this backdrop of controversy, where Makhwengwe’s own assertions conflict with the official narrative – oscillating between resignation and dismissal – the saga unfolds with layers of intrigue. The spectacle calls into question the capacity of Tafic to sustain their impressive run. The precedence set by Cote D’Ivoire’s astonishing turnaround at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a managerial upheaval offers a glimmer of unpredictability inherent in football, though juxtaposing club football dynamics with international fixtures holds its own set of complexities.

As Tafic grapples with the loss of one of Botswana’s most esteemed coaching figures, the overarching question looms: How will this episode influence their fortunes as the season wades into its critical junctures? With the BPL already witnessing a carousel of coaching departures, Tafic’s saga adds a compelling chapter to the unfolding narrative of a league characterized by flux and fervor. The departure of Makhwengwe not only marks a pivotal moment for Tafic but underscores the perennial dance between stability and upheaval in the quest for footballing glory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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