Limpopo softball ladies defy harsh conditions for the love of the game

Limpopo softballers who are based mostly in the province’s rural villages face the daunting challenge of a dire lack of infrastructure and facilities.

But this has not deterred the spirit of the game from growing in the province which is currently preparing to host a top four tournament for women at the Lebowakgomo Diamonds on 3 September.

Mahwelereng Spikes, Botlokwa Angels, University of Limpopo and Naledi Spiders are set to fight for top honours in the tournament.

Chairperson for Limpopo Softball Association, Mokgadi Mswazi told Mukurukuru Media that they are banking on municipalities to assist in developing proper facilities.

“We play on dusty fields. For softball, we should have the back fence field. We call it a catcher. So unfortunately we only have about 5 facilities that have back fences,” said Mswazi, adding that having proper facilities will help players improve their game.

Mswazi said that some sponsors provide them with grants, and they use this to compensate the teams to travel to the league games.

“We are still looking for more sponsors to assist us so that we can achieve what we want to do in the province for softball. The truth is we are having limited resources,” she said Mswazi.

She said that the importance of the top four tournament is to see women in softball participating, and playing competitive games. She further added that this is where they will produce elite athletes.

With Limpopo being the home of softball, Mswazi said when they select teams they get assistance from the Academy of Sports to oil their players so that they can play competitive games.

“We have training camps, and we invite professional people to assist our players so that they can participate on national setups,” said Mswazi.

Limpopo Softball Association (LSA) produced players like Kwena Nkune, Lucas Lamola, Kagiso Aphane, Ronaldo Kekana and Kamogelo Makolomakwe who will represent the country at the u/23 Softball World Cup in Argentina in October.

This was after they brought their A game at the annual provincial championship in Cape Town earlier this year.

In a virtual meeting in March this year, attended by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and Softball South Africa (SSA) the chairperson for SSA, Mashilo Matsetela mentioned that SSA has made a lot of progress with diversity and that it has appropriate policies in place to manage the transformation.

Matsetela further admitted that softball is mainly played in rural areas where the majority of the clubs are also based.

“Invitations will be forwarded to members of the portfolio committee so that they can see the developments and facilities in the rural and township areas. Together with the government, it will continue to work and develop access to facilities and build stadiums,” said Matsetela.

Mswazi lauded coaches for the development work they are doing at grassroots level.

“They are taking care of the players, making sure that the players are well groomed on this play of softball,” said Mswazi

Meanwhile, the captain for Mahwelereng Spikes Maki Letsoalo said that her team is ready to face other teams.

“We have both junior and senior players. It is going to be a challenging game for us but we are going to take it as it is,” said Letsoalo

Letsoalo who is also playing for the provincial team said her dream is to coach the Limpopo Softball Association Ladies.

In the same breath, the University of Limpopo captain, Justine Mogashoa who was also standing her ground said that they may be intimidated but they do not fear the opposition.

“Our challenge is that we do not always have our senior players coming for practice because they are working, but other than that, preparations are going very well,” highlighted Mogashoa.

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