Dipsy Selolwane: Tribute to a living LEGEND
Thuso Palai | Friday July 11, 2014 12:33
Known in football circles as Dipsy, Voltage or U-Turn and to his friends as Mojuta; Selolwane has been a shining light for Botswana football for close on 2 decades. He hangs up his boots after a stellar career that has had its ups and downs, but mostly ups. He hangs up his boots, as he said to me recently a happy man who could not have asked for more from the sport that he so dearly loves. He hangs up his boots with a clear conscience that he did all he could to win each and every game he played. He hangs up his boots with hope that he has set a good example for up and coming youngsters who will emulate and surpass his achievements.
He says it was a difficult decision, but one that had to be made. Telling me a couple of months ago that he plans to retire at the end of the season; I tried to convince him otherwise. I however knew that if he had made his decision, I was just wasting my breathe and if he felt the time was right to retire he would do so, no matter who said what. For him, the time was right and even though he had approaches from certain quarters to continue playing at the highest level, he decided to hang up his boots. He also had approaches to continue in RSA but he turned down the offer to come back to Botswana where he has a vision to give back to the community and unearth talent.
As Botswana celebrates his career this coming weekend in the Dipsy Selolwane Testimonial, he will most certainly be an emotional wreck. There is no denying that even though the time is right, he will miss the hustle and bustle of professional football. Selolwane has represented Botswana at all levels at international football with aplomb, starting at Under 17 all the way up to senior level. He is one of the most recognisable sporting exports that Botswana has produced, having plied his trade around the world. His talent, hard work and dedication have seen him play in the USA, Denmark and South Africa. He is still held in high esteem where he has played. Throughout his career he has always been a leader and an influential player in Botswana football. Having been one of the first modern day footballers to ply his trade outside of Botswana, Dipsy has always been an example of what hard work and dedication can yield.
I have known Dipsy from a young age when we played football together and as I pen this as a friend, fan, former school mate and former teammate, I cannot help but rejoice in what he went on to become and what he achieved throughout his career.
As others have said in different forums, Dipsy was always destined to be a star and he showed that from an early age. I got to know Dipsy closely when we played together at junior level, where we were coached by Michael Spokes Gaborone. Together with Seabo SeaBee Gabanakgosi and Thero Relax Gaadingwe, they were the stars of the team. We started off at Under 12s and because of his superior talent and maturity he moved on to the under16s way ahead of us. Baba, as we used to call Spokes Gaborone; knew he was on to something. In no time, he was signed by Gaborone United, and as they would say, the rest is History.
Dipsy speaks fondly of Spokes Gaborone and credits him for what he eventually became. Chatting with Dipsy a couple of weeks ago, he shared a few jokes about Baba, and said that is one of the people who started him off on his football career. Gaborone United took over and developed him into a well-rounded footballer who went on to become a STAR and household name in Botswana football. Surely his greatest achievement was the Presidential Award he got a couple of years ago, and he will forever cherish that recognition by the highest office in the land.
As he ventures into talent identification and management, we can all wish him well. With his passion, having played at the highest level and amassed experience, chances are that he will succeed. He is a living LEGEND who has made a great contribution to Botswana football. As a Motswana, I’m proud of him and will forever celebrate his career.