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Basupang’s story of pain and betrayal

Standing together: Basupang and wife, Lere have been through the karate journey together
Standing together: Basupang and wife, Lere have been through the karate journey together

He has always been a prominent figure in karate circles, regarded as reserved and calm. For many years, it has been my wish to have a tete-a-tete with the man who has seen it all in karate but largely remains a closed book. This week, Mmegi Staffer, CALISTUS KOLANTSHO finally caught up with Steady Basupang for a sit-down interview

Under the chilly winter morning weather, I come face to face with Basupang at a local eatery. He indicates that he has been aware of my interest in his story, as we settle down. He believes that he has no story to share, but to me this is an unsung hero in local sport. A fortnight ago, Basupang dropped a bombshell when he resigned from Japan Karate Association (JKA) Botswana. A week after his resignation, his wife, Lere who was the chairperson also resigned.

When asked about the reasons behind his resignation, Basupang takes a long pause, stares into space and says it was no longer worth it.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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