University of Botswana Deputy Vice Chancellor for Students Affairs, Professor Martin Montsho Mokgwathi, has been inducted into the Botswana Sports Hall of Fame.
Professor Mokgwathi becomes the second UB member of staff to be inducted into the sports hall of fame. The first one was Director of Culture, Sports, and Recreation, Mr Raj Reuben Rathedi, who was inducted as part of the eight of Botswana’s pioneering sports administrators and sportsmen at the inaugural ceremony in 2014.
Professor Mokgwathis was inducted together with Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Thapelo Olopeng, Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Ms Dorcas Makgato, Botswana National Sports Commission chairperson, Mr Solly Reikeletseng and former Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) chairperson, Mr Negros Kgosietsile at the 5th Induction Ceremony held in Gaborone on November 15, 2018.
Other notable inductees are Botswana’s fourth President, Lt Gen Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, former Vice Presidents, Lt Gen Mompati Merafhe and Mr Peter Simako Otlaadisang Mmusi, Mr Ishmael Bhamjee, former local amateur boxing great France Mabiletsa, legendary football goalkeeper and coach, Matshidiso Sexton Kowa, former Botswana Football Association (BFA) President, Ray Molomo as well as the late Special Olympics Patron Olebile Masire.
Professor Mokgwathi is regarded by many as one of the best softball players to have come from Botswana. Having been introduced to the sport at a tender age of nine by two American Peace Corps, the late Bob Williams and Jerry Heretha, Professor Mokgwathi played for the Young American team while he was at St Joseph’s College and progressed to Vikings Softball team and eventually the national softball team.
He played alongside softball great such as Labbeaus Peloewetse, Thuli Johnson and Bruce Palai. The quartet have been regarded as some of softball’s best in the country. Professor Mokgwathi was part of the national team that travelled to the USA for a maiden appearance at the World Games in 1984 in Midland. The team was ranked 14th out of 16 countries.
A dedicated sportsperson, Professor Mokgwathi retired from active sport to coaching and administration. He coached at various levels including the national women’s team. He was part of the founders of Special Olympics, Botswana Chapter in 1986 during which he was elected the first President, a position he held for four years.
Professor Mokgwathi has served as BNOC Vice President and led the Botswana Team to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as Chef de Mission. He also served in the then Botswana National Sports Council executive committee as Vice Chairperson and currently sits in the commission board.
Professor Mokgwathi has worked for UB since 1984 where he served as lecturer in the Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation, whose formation he spearheaded in 1998. Further, he has served as head of the Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation.
As an academic, Professor Mokgwathi has been involved in conducting research in both physical education and sport and has produced articles in a number of journals. Among his many awards, he are the Presidential Certificate of Hnour awarded in 2015 for his contribution to the development of sport in Botswana.