Mmegi

Despite changes, netball crises flare

Suspended: Retshabile
Suspended: Retshabile

In April, the Botswana Netball Association (BONA) saw some of the executive committee members forcibly removed from their positions in an effort to cleanse the game.

Then-president Malebo Raditladi-Nkgakile, Seipei Gaelisiwe (vice president-project and events), Masego Serumola (sport development officer), and Mokeresete Mokeresete (public relations officer), were all removed through a motion of no confidence. But before the dust settles, chickens have come home to roost, as the axe has fallen on secretary-general, Thulaganyo Retshabile. Retshabile has been suspended by BONA president, Onkemetse Mpudi for three years over non-performance. According to the suspension letter, authored by Mpudi on Wednesday, Retshabile has been suspended from the BONA executive committee and active participation. “The suspension is effective from July 10, 2024, and it runs for a period of three years, up to July 9, 2027. In the meantime, all correspondences from Zones should be addressed to the vice president-projects and events as per the BONA constitution Article 9.2.5.3 (d) pending the development of the issue at hand,” the letter reads.

Retshabile told MmegiSport that she is being suspended for calling out the president’s wrong actions. She explained that she has never developed a performance agreement with the president. “I have never been called for a performance review by the president. I have never been called for performance assessment by the president, therefore I do not know how she came up with the marks that show that I underperformed,” Retshabile said. She said as far as she is concerned, their working relationship has been cordial, adding that Mpudi was being influenced by someone in the executive committee. Mpudi insisted that Retshabile had underperformed. "She is not performing. Her portfolio duties are there to guide her. She may know them but doesn't want to execute them which is more important," Mpudi said. BONA public relations officer (PRO), Stanley Modibedi, said he was disappointed with Retshabile's suspension. “This action, taken without prior consultation or the involvement of the national executive committee, is deeply troubling and raises significant concerns about the governance and procedural fairness within our association.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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