Karate instructor calls for peace
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday June 12, 2025 09:14
In recent times, the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) has found itself entangled in legal battles involving warring factions. The disgruntled members appointed an interim committee led by Keorapetse Mogopodi during a Special General Meeting (SGM) in February and passed a motion of no confidence against the Mpho Bakwadi leadership. But the move was declared null and void by the court as the 'coup plotters' were accused of working with non-BOKA affiliates. The High Court ruled that the Special General Meeting held under BOKA by the respondents in February was improperly and unlawfully convened. “The interim executive committee is interdicted, restricted, and restrained from holding themselves out to be members of the executive committee whether interim or otherwise under BOKA,” reads the High Court ruling in part.
The members did not give up as they proceeded to appeal the ruling where they were not successful again. On the other side, the executive committee had to deal with former committee members who went to court after being removed from office via a motion of no confidence. The matter was later withdrawn from the High Court. This has left Kgorotlhe a concerned man as he argued that there is nothing that the members are fighting for except personal vendettas. “In some instances, you might find that someone wants to revenge because their student was dropped from the national team. Such mentality drags progress and should be condemned at all costs. It is time we unite. Even the Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng can intervene and request us to start afresh, then we make sure that the executive committee has strong members. Right now we only have Mpho Bakwadi and Union Kgafela (vice president-technical) as the only duly elected members of the committee,” Kgorotlhe told MmegiSport. He said the rest of the committee members have been co-opted whilst there are other strong karatekas who can be slotted into leadership positions. Kgorotlhe argued that there is nothing that can stop them from working together.
He said a united karate has the potential to bring back the integrity the sport had previously as it has talented karatekas. But Boitumelo Koone, who served as interim secretary-general in the disposed committee, said peace is elusive, accusing Bakwadi and his committee of being uncooperative. “We are working on our appeal. We had a meeting last week, they (Bakwadi-led committee) walked away, so it is pointless to talk about peace right now,” Koone said. For his part, Bakwadi said he does not have a problem with burying the hatchet. However, Bakwadi said personally he would never take back troublemakers such as Otto Tafa, Ookeditse Malesu, Tshepho Bathai, and Christopher Ponatshego. “They should go and do karate somewhere (else). They are not good people for our karate leadership. Some are genuinely misled, they can apply and members will decide if they accept them. It is not about me or the executive. We will vet the applications, we do not want undisciplined members and we will never entertain them,” Bakwadi said.
Meanwhile Kgorotlhe said last week Nihon took part in the JKA Africa Cup in Johannesburg, which attracted 13 countries. They brought home two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals. In addition, they will host a tournament next week that has attracted karatekas from South Africa. “Nihon will be hosting its annual tournament, Bandleng Ngwana wa MoAfrika Karate Championships in June 14. As an indication that Botswana karate is taken seriously in the region, Shotokan Karate-Do Organisation, South Africa, has already confirmed attendance,” Kgorotlhe said.