Madzulukwa follows brother’s softball footsteps
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday October 26, 2026 06:00
“My brother was already a player, so he would always bring a glove and a ball for us to play catch. He introduced me to the sport. Little did he know that he was engraving something in me that would become my lifetime job, one that would change my life forever,” Madzulukwa told MmegiSport upon his return from Canada, where he plays for JDT First Energy.
Born on August 13, 1999, Madzulukwa started playing competitive softball when he was doing Form Two at Makgadikgadi Junior Secondary School in Mosu village, in the Boteti District. He said his first game brought a mixture of fear and excitement, but it was a moment he cherished and never took for granted.
Madzulukwa said he fell in love with softball from the moment he was introduced to the sport, particularly the way it was played, its intensity and the pressure involved, as he enjoys performing under pressure.
“My first club was Orapa-based Carats in 2017, and then I moved to Gatalamotho in 2024. I then had to up my game and move to the professional set-up. I played in the Botswana Softball Association (BSA) league, which was sponsored by BoFINET in 2019. By then, I was playing for Panthers Softball Club,” he explained.
Some of the achievements under Madzulukwa’s belt include the Softball Spectacular tournament, the inaugural National Easter Softball Tournament (NEST) in 2026, and several tournaments abroad, including the Ontario Challenge Cup (OCC), Middlesex Fast League, Innerkip, Fingal and Saugeen Showdown, among others.
“My first national team call-up was in 2019, and we qualified for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Men’s Softball World Championship in Prague and Havlíčkův Brod, Czech Republic, after finishing as runners-up to South Africa in the African qualifiers. Ever since then, I have always been invited whenever national team trials are held. During the World Championship in Prague, I attracted interest from a club in the Czech Republic and started playing for them, but then an opportunity came from Canada,” Madzulukwa said.
During the championships, Botswana had a strong line-up of pitchers that included Kagiso Mogale, Kunyalala Samuel, Karabo Motsholathebe, Romeo Tshelametse, and Gideon Puaka. The men’s senior national team trials get underway this weekend at the National Diamond in Gaborone, with Madzulukwa included on the list. The right-handed pitcher explained that he decided to move to Canada because the country offers plenty of top-quality competition and hosts some of the biggest softball tournaments.
In Canada, he has also played for Alvinston Aces and Bear Creek Express. Madzulukwa said he has been exposed to the highest level of softball since 2022, competing against some of the best players in the world. He is currently ranked seventh in the World Power Pitching rankings.
“I am a pitcher because I get to control the game. My role model in this game is my brother because he introduced me to it and trained me. He made me what I am today. Regarding the state of softball in Botswana, it is exciting because we have started having a lot of tournaments, and they help me prepare for my season,” he said.
Asked about his return to Canada, Madzulukwa said it would depend on when the club needs his services.
FACT FILE
Full names: Pamidzani Madzulukwa Date of birth: August 13, 1999 Place of birth: Orapa Profession: Softball player Local club: Gatalamotho International club: JDT First Energy, Ontario Hand: Right Hobbies: Training Favourite meal: Tswana cuisine