Panene Laid To Rest

By Tshepo Molwane
Staff Writer | Monday April 16, 2007 00:00

 

Speakers at the funeral described the departed coach as a loving person who knew his rights. Notwane manager Bonnie Bashe told the stunned audience that Panene never appeared to be seriously or fatally injured in the accident that involved the club medic and another person. He explained that he found Panene and the other two at the scene of the accident. While the club medic was taken to Nyangabgwe Hospital, the coach and the other person in the car joined Bashe to travel to Gaborone. 'Banks wanted to go for the game (Under-23 against South Africa) in Potchefstroom but I refused. I checked him on Sunday morning and fortunately he didn't travel. On Monday, he complained of a pain in the arm,' he said to a quiet stadium. On April 4, Bashe said that he received a call stating that Panene was not well and was taken to  Princess Marina Hospital where he was admitted in the surgical ward. The following day, his condition worsened and he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 'The doctors told us that there was a head injury which was not noticed. I asked the doctors if he was brought earlier, he could have survived but said there was none,' said a seemingly emotional Bashe. He advised medical practitioners to do their job and stop listening to patients. The Notwane manager thanked the football fraternity for supporting the Panene family through the difficult times.

Member of Parliament for Gaborone North, Keletso Rakhudu, said that he used to enjoy watching Panene when he was still a goalkeeper at Notwane. 'When somebody fouled him, we would angrily jump from the stands and we would only be stopped by the perimeter fence,' he said as he remembered the golden days. The Gaborone North legislator asserted that 'Banks' was a nice person who never looked down on people he knew despite all achievements. Notwane elder, Pontius Mokgosana paid tribute to all those who have supported the family and urged players to lift their performance to ensure that the club remains a brand. 'Accidents like these happen and we should not despair,' he said.

National coach Colwyn Rowe said that to him 'Banks' was special. 'He could be a gentleman, comedian and disciplinarian. He was always open-minded and had an outstanding knowledge of football in Botswana.' Panene served as Rowe's assistant at the time of his death. He last sat on the Zebras' bench recently when the team hosted Burundi in the 2008 African Nations Cup qualifier on March 25.

Former Mochudi Centre Chiefs' goalkeeper Matshediso 'Sexton' Kowa said that Panene was a great person because he came from a big family - 'The House of Chiefs'. He said Panene inherited his character during his stint at the Kgatleng giants.