Zimbabwean appointed Bots netball team coach

Lovemore Dube Sports Editor
SITHULILE Mlotshwa has become the first foreigner to be appointed the Botswana national netball team coach.
Breaking the news yesterday morning, Mlotshwa said she was happy with her appointment to the job of co-coach with Abednigo Tjitelo. “I am excited with this recognition. Our first assignment is to prepare for the Malawi African Championships set for next month. We hope to do well there,” said the former Sobukazi Secondary School star.

Mlotshwa, who left Zimbabwe 19 years ago, has been rewarded for her contribution to the sport in that country.
Prior to her leaving Zimbabwe she was a key player at Highlanders Netball Club where she played with the likes of Margaret Mudimbu, Miriam Ncube and Francisca Gumbo.

Mlotshwa became the first netballer to leave the country to play professional netball in 1994. She joined Notwane with whom she has won several accolades in Botswana.

She has on several occasions been voted best defender and most valuable player at tournaments.
Now 44, Mlotshwa plays occasionally though most of her energies are now in coaching where she helps out even at schools.

Several years ago she coached the Botswana men’s netball team to silver in South Africa and led a local Gaborone school to silverware.
She has spent the last 17 years at Notwane as player/coach a job that has earned her wide respect in Botswana netball.

She was captain of the Zimbabwe netball team at the 1995 All-Africa Games hosted by the country.
Mlotshwa had a glittering career at Highlanders whom she led to several tournament wins in the region.

“Honestly for me this has been a great honour and I wish to serve the sport with distinction with this appointment,” said Mlotshwa.
Francisca Ncube who was a goal shooter while Mlotshwa played as a goal attacker had praises for her.

“She was an immaculate player, who loved everything about netball. We so happy for her and we hope that her elevation will motivate other girls to scale the sport’s great heights.

“What I am happy is to hear that someone who has been in the sport since the 1980s is still active,” said Francisca.
Francisca still plays and is a member of Ntutu Sparrows who top the Bulawayo Netball League. The club is more like a Big Sisters team with most of the players over 40.

Mlotshwa’s feat follows that of Paul Moyo who was once assistant national soccer coach in that country while others have featured with age-group tennis teams.

Sporting Achievements