29 Aug 2021

Netball legend, Tebogo ‘Fanakie’ Mooketsi who died August 22 was laid to rest in Mochudi on Saturday.

Fana, as Mooketsi was affectionately known, was diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalised at Gaborone Private Hospital for a week after which he was transferred to Princess Marina Hospital and later discharged, giving many hope that he had recovered.

However, his sendoff was filled with laughter as each speaker had something funny to say about him.

Botswana Netball Association (BONA) secretary general, Mmaneke Maplanka said Fana liked to joke and sing.

She said a lot could be learnt from him since he was open and honest.

“He didn’t talk behind people’s back, but confronted them if there was something he needed to say to them,” she said.

As one of the first males to be involved in netball in the country, Fana was active in the sport for three decades and contributed to its growth by securing sponsorships and encouraged men to join.

Maplanka said Fana’s death was not a loss only to his family but netball and the entire sport community because he liked other codes like football as well.

A representative from Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC), Kagiso Mapotu said Fana liked to joke and gossip.

“If he gossiped about you, he would later come clean. He could not keep a secret,” Mapotu said.

He said Fana’s character could be confusing to some, but once someone got to know him, they understood the kind of person he really was.

A communication from BONA indicated that as a former netball player and a leader, Fana’s life was an inspiration to many on and off the court and that his dedication to the success of netball and its growth was immeasurable.

It further stated that he was not only great in what he did but was also passionate about seeing others succeed in their careers and life in general.

Vipers Sporting Club, secretary general, Thulaganyo Retshabile, echoed sentiments that Fana liked to joke, stood for the truth and liked to help others, which made it easy for him to make friends.

She said Fana was focused and came up with ideas to grow and develop the club.

She said he recently came up with an initiative to workshop the club’s youth on business ideas and had intended to engage BNYC to assist.

Fana’s friend, Bakang Legwale, said he was friendly and they learnt a lot from him.

He said Fana was able to bring people from different walks of life together.

“He was a resourceful man who assisted Notwane Club secure sponsorships,” he said.

Legwale said even though Fana liked to joke, he was short tempered but could not stay angry for long.

He urged the netball family to continue the journey from where Fana left off.

Fana’s netball journey started in the early 1990s as a Mochudi Sporting Club supporter.

He joined Notwane Netball Club in 1994 as a supporter and later became Notwane men’s netball player.

In 2004, he played a pivotal role in helping to assemble the first ever Botswana men’s senior netball national team that brought a silver medal from the COSANA Men’s Championships in South Africa.

He became Notwane vice chairperson in 2012 until 2016 and in 2018, he was instrumental in the formation of Vipers Sporting Club and was its vice chairperson until his demise.

Fana is survived by his son and younger brother. ENDS