29 Apr 2019

The annual general meeting (AGM) of Botswana Amateur Fencing Society (BAFS) culminated with the entire national executive committee being re-elected to further lead the society for the next four years. 

At the AGM held on April 28, Mandlaenkosi Masuku retained the presidency of the federation, and the team he had been serving with was similarly re-elected unopposed to the positions they respectively had hitherto been holding.

After being retained, Masuku commended BAFS clubs for having continued to show confidence in his leadership, assuring the society that like it had done during its previous tenure, his committee would continue its efforts to develop the code and make it a sporting code of choice. 

He also appealed for support from clubs, without which he said the national committee would struggle in the endeavour to grow the sport.

On other issues, Masuku said while the society appreciated the P150 000 grant per annum from Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC), the amount was inadequate to meet the financial needs of BAFS. 

Philani Mazibuko, the vice president, called for fencing clubs to have the drive, determination and passion to take the sport forward, saying it was only then that the code would reach a point where it could not be ignored. 

He implored clubs and individual fencers to emulate members of other sporting codes and make sacrifices, in different ways, for the growth of fencing.

The society’s re-elected public relations officer, Ewetse Khama said despite the challenges BAFS was grappling with, there was need for more clubs. He said the society would do its utmost to take the sport to the people and drum up support and interest in it. 

The rest of the members who got re-elected included Cecilia Boom, secretary general; Karabo Thobega, technical director; Mercy Mathiba, treasurer, and Thuso Nakedi who retained his position as additional member. A second additional member, Lorato Medupi was elected into the committee, being the only member who had not served in the previous committee. ENDS