LSA chairwoman Makgadi Moswatsi’s regime has been on shaky ground but managed to survive tumultuous storms.
Limpopo Softball Association (LSA) is gearing up for what could be a history-changing Elective Annual General Meeting at the beginning of August.
It remains a great deal of uncertainty whether it will be an autumn of despair or the dawn of a new era.
The elective congress comes under a pitch dark cloud after clubs have raised their displeasure in chairwoman Makgadi Moswatsi’s regime.
Observers say her leadership did not inspire confidence despite having surrounded by a shrewd executive.
Moswatsi was often the missing puzzle when the she was needed most, only for deputy,Benny Boshomane readily available to cover for her.
She made history by becoming the first ever woman to lead the provincial softball governing body since historic days of Far North Softball Association and Great North Softball Association.
However, her election was met with mixed emotions, with doubting Thomases saying her health could be a major challenge for her and the provincial game in its entirety.
Moswatsi drew criticism when she neglected her provincial duties, citing ill health but would fly to foreign shores as team manager of the national senior women’s team.
A club representative, who spoke to Mopani Times on the basis of anonymity says she was always parachuted to levels where she couldn’t manage the pressure at the highest echelons.
“From a provincial perspective, it was a disaster from the onset. It was clear that the car accident she survived has left her with devastating damage on her health. It was a clear indication of disintegration of leadership when she missed meetings oftentimes. Since her incumbency, she never attended a single league fixture program even when games were staged in her home village of Moletlane. However, she still risked her health when insisted on taking international responsibilities for Softball South Africa.,” says the club rep.
Moyahabo Mabeba, the association’s Head of Marketing and Publicity says their elective AGM is log overdue and clubs are now ready for new leadership.
“We came into the executive with lots of energy and smart intentions. Several clubs were still intact and run league and tournaments with remarkable success. We continued to win and defend the annual National Provincial Championships. Through the development program of recruiting youngsters, our province remained the biggest hatchery of talent. As a result, we produced international stars to represent the country at World Cup editions. We might have disintegrated midway but still made significant strides.
“We acknowledge few hiccups here and there, especially the untimely demise of certain clubs. The constant failure of some clubs to honour their league matches was some of our shortcomings. Moving forward, softball should continue to be part of the provincial sporting heritage. This executive has somehow done a splendid job in preserving the legacy of the game. The softball fraternity is looking forward to a new era of good governance,” says Mabeba.