Fare thee well, dear reader

| Friday August 6, 2010 00:00

Dear reader, this is my last tango with you. You are reading my contribution to this column for the last time. It is sad to say, but time comes when change becomes inevitable. I am bidding you farewell. It has been good making comments every other week knowing there are people like you who look forward to reading my views regardless of whether they agreed with me or not. Or worse still, whether I offered drivel to you.  It will be untrue for me to tell you writing a sports column is easy.  I really have no idea how we managed to clock 10 years writing this column. Jeers!

Back in the days when I used to earn a living from the newsroom for almost 16 years, I held a belief that writing a column is the exclusive preserve of infinitely knowledgeable people who had built experience as either journalists or professionals in their respective fields.  I realised later this was not the case. Anyone can take a chance and throw some drab writing, bothered less if people enjoyed what they read or not. I mean, how often have you come across some colourful and yet frivolous sports columns and still no readers complain? Substance is no longer the key. The motivation is to fill the space and allow the editor to send the damn newspaper to the printers. Bingo!

Sometimes one even wonders if some editors read what columnists write in their newspapers. Which reminds me of Adlai Stevenson who once famously remarked: 'An editor is one who separates the wheat from the chaff and prints the chaff'. 

Repartee, dear reader have I really given to you at times. Sorry if I did not discuss what you thought needed to be tackled.Sports is a difficult subject to comment on. Everyone knows everything. But then who said every reader has to be warm to what columnists write about all the time? There were times when I was not sure if the whooshing noise of my computer as I wrote the column meant I was writing a piece worth your precious time. I do however want to think, even if I may not be able to ascertain it that it was worth it. Otherwise don't you think the editor would have long sent Dennis and I a note: 'Guys, we have long had to put up with you claptrap, and we regret to inform you we can't go on like this. Your column sucks!'

We started this column because we sought to ignite debate in the area of sport. Debate about topical issues in sport we reasoned were not adequately placed on the centre stage. We planned to do it regardless of the controversy that would follow it. In line with this newspaper position as a publication of comment, debate and critical analysis of news and issues, we envisioned a column that would elicit the attention of the large sports reading public. A column that will offer people something intellectually sound and worth the read. Get that?

Initially the subject of our writing was to be broad to include every popular sport. But with time, we drifted more and more towards football.

We have touched on numerous and varied subjects. I must admit some of the columns were uninspiring, dull, and often deliberately provocative to some innocent souls. It was never intentional to malign people. But like someone once remarked, there is no point writing if you cannot annoy people. I know for instance, there are those who will rub their hands in glee to see the back of me. Such is life though.

The reason I have decided to call it a day is because no one enjoys the monopoly of ideas and knowledge. Dennis and I included. There are people who can take over and share their experience with Mmegi readers, in a profound and extremely pleasurable manner, making sense perhaps a lot more than I. That person will share the stage with Dennis. I know Dennis still has the energy to go on. He is one oke with the biggest 'wheedle' I have ever seen!

Perhaps I belong to the old school. I believe at some stage, a newspaper column - as in the life of a person - must come to an end. We need to create opportunities for many passionate and knowledgeable people to take over. You cannot have a column that does not come to an end.

I am proud that this newspaper previously ran a readers survey and many people showed approval of 'First Cut'. The joy was mutual.  I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this column. And even though there were not as many letters to the editor as one would have liked in response to the writings in this space, I am proud that many people did call and offer feedback through text messages.

Since the beginning of this column, a lot has happened in the sporting fraternity. We have seen a ministry created with sole focus on sport. Our football league did join the 'millionaires' clubs' when it rewarded winners with a P1 million prize money.

Unlike the olden days, we have seen battles for positions of leadership in the Botswana Football Association (BFA), and other sports codes become so intense and factional. We have seen more sports facilities constructed by government. We have seen some sports previously considered 'foreign' entrench themselves in the national psyche such as rugby, cricket and gymnastics. We have seen the demise of softball - once the 'in-thing' among secondary school children. We have seen the media develop with many radio stations and newspapers coming up. There is never a dull moment in sport. I also deem, a sports column should reflect what happens out there and add to the excitement, debate and interrogation of issues as they unfold.

Like Shakespeare once remarked, we meet to part and part to meet. Continue reading this lovely family publication. Bye!