A volleyball dream born from athletics ashes
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday January 8, 2016 11:55
Born in Francistown on January 13, 1990, Majaha never envisaged she would one day become a top volleyball player.
The first-born in a family of four, Majaha has the right height (1.68 metres) to succeed in volleyball and has not wasted time establishing herself as one of the leading players.
But volleyball was the last sport on her mind. Majaha says after she left school, which was the last time she participated in athletics, she incidentally found herself falling in love with the sport.
It was in 2010 when she used to accompany her cousin, Kizani James who used to play for BDF VI that her passion for the sport was ignited.
A BDF VI player, Prince Matsheka introduced Majaha to the sport and she fitted like a glove. “I was started off as an outside attacker the position I still play today.
The position is generally for tall players that can jump high. I am able to play it well because I am quick and able to jump above the net for spikes and blocks,” she says with confidence.
Majaha says she made the first team upon arrival at BDF VI and was never on the bench.
In 2012, the player left the army side for Diphatsa where she helped the team go up the log standings. Her stay lasted for two years and she retraced her steps back to BDF VI as she felt insecure about her future at Diphatsa.
Majaha took a giant step at the beginning of 2015 by joining her current club, Mafolofolo.
She says finding a place in the starting line up was difficult as the top club had many talented players. The player was forced to work hard and prove her mettle to the coach. In the end, she booked her spot and her talent was recognised.
Majaha made a dream Zone VI debut in Swaziland in December where she was voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, the competition’s top award.
“I went to Zone VI with one thing in mind, which was to outdo myself.
The advantage I had was that I had seen my opponents play before, during national team assignments. I was selected the best server and Most Valuable Player of the tournament,” she says.
Majaha says her dream is to play outside the country, but the main challenge is her height. She says most teams prefer taller players.
Mafolofolo assistant coach, Kagiso Mannaesi says Majaha is an obedient player. He says the player listens to the coach’s instructions and she is always willing to learn.
“Other players tend to think they know all when they play for the national team, but that is not the case with Majaha.
At the national team she is a libero, but she shifts back to attack when she gets back to the club,” Mannaesi says.