01 Jun 2016

His stern face rarely wears smile and comes across as one who could hit you at a slightest provocation. But, as they say looks can be deceiving.

Mpapho Nlebesi possesses the might of a right-hander that strikes with power packed with rage and sheer brutality. 

Despite changes to Diphatsa Volleyball Club squad, he remains a constant feature of the black and orange Francistown- based outfit ever since joining in 2007. 

And above all, he still rocks his number seven jersey with his trademark white long sleeved undershirt regardless of the kit colour.

Like other volleyballers, Nlebesi is a working man who plays volleyball for various reasons being fitness and health as well as feeding his appetite for the only sport he has ever known. 

However, the well-built and dark skinned Thamashanga athlete whose legs springs-up whenever he takes a giant step into the volleyball courts packs a very powerful message to the youngsters. 

In an interview with BOPA Nlebesi advised youngsters not to let popularity cloud their better judgements in making crucial life decisions especially that concern their sporting and academic lives. He offered that juggling studying and or work with sport just as he does at Botswana Life could be an amelioration to those who still want to see themselves playing the sport of their choice. 

He was a worried man that many youngsters, upon gaining popularity tended to give sport a lion’s share of their time thus subjecting studies to abandon.

Notwithstanding that, Nlebesi warned that it was not an easy feat since work naturally could  exhaust one both physically and mentally but, sport would help put them to a relaxation mode.  

“I have realised that young players tend to give sports priority especially when they begin to enjoy themselves,” said Nlebesi who called on youngsters to set their priorities and get them right. 

He told BOPA that during his schooling days he planned his studying as well as his sporting activities to avoid one suffering at the expense of  the other. 

This was at a time when Diphatsa was a competitive side, sponsored by   Botswana Defence Force and expectations were too high.

Nonetheless, Nlebesi claimed the team understood his needs and hence would make concerted efforts to catch up with the team after school commitments. 

At times one needs intrinsic motivation and with time it becomes a routine that one has to go for training after work, so said Nlebesi whose love for training beams on his face. 

His love for sport keeps the Thamashanga born athlete going. 

But, his love for a healthy lifestyle constantly remind  the robust Diphatsa Volleyball Club attacker to keep training harder, a trait he hopes youngsters could emulate. Another of his strong traits to pass unto the upcoming stars is his winning mentality. 

He concedes that playing with youngsters is packed with challenges. 

The challenges could be that as protégés they lack the confidence and big game temperament, a factor that Nlebesi concedes puts him under pressure to a level where he sometimes loses his temper.

“These young boys sometimes repeat same mistakes but all you need to do is encourage them,” said Diphatsa captain who joined the club in 2007 from Desert Kings. Since then Nlebesi has never looked back. Ends