28 Sep 2020

It is important to acquire knowledge and apply it to become successful and make a difference in society, University of Botswana’s senior lecturer in the Department of Sports Science, Dr Tshepang Tshube has said.

Giving a keynote address on September 26 at the launch of a motivational book titled: Breaking Barriers: A Woman in Sport authored by Ms Oreeditse Marakakgoro.

“Knowlegde is power, but it is applied knowledge that is more profound. If you can’t apply your knowledge, its useless knowledge. So, good and great knowledge is applied knowledge,” he said.

Dr Tshube commended Ms Marakakgoro, who is also a netball coach, mentor and sports administrator, sports commentator and analyst for having penned down the book that shares a story about her life journey to inspire and motivate both young people and adults.

“I encourage each and everyone of you to buy a copy so that you fully appreciate Oreeditse’s life story and lessons as a young person growing up in Serowe in a large family of nine siblings. She started breaking barriers at that level, seeking attention as a girl child trying to find her space at home, school and in sports and in all other areas,” he said.

Additionally, Dr Tshube encouraged young people to buy the book and read it to be inspired to know that they could break any barriers and be anything they wanted to be. Another speaker, Mr Mompoloki Makwana, who authored three leadership books, also congratulated Ms Marakakgoro for having chosen to write a book that “motivates others to break barriers.”

“It is important to know that nothing will improve until you improve. Growth is a personal choice and no one can force you to grow,” he said. “This book represents the courage of a woman who made a personal choice to grow,” he added.In her 81 page book, Ms Marakakgoro, who is head of sports at Parwe Junior Secondary School in Mahalapye, tells a story of courage, faith and hard work achieved through dedication and commitment to sports and education.

Speakers at the launch, which included family, friends and colleagues, hailed Ms Marakakgoro as a self-driven, go getter and passionate person who never gives up on her dreams.Narrating what inspired her to write the book, Ms Marakakgoro said she derived her passion from building leaders through sports and education by empowering both young girls and women.

She said through the book, she encouraged readers to live meaningful lives by knowing themselves and their inspirations. their selves and impacting lives.

“To be a woman in sports is not child’s play. It is not an easy path, but for as long as you have a backbone you can stand. A lot of women fell on the wayside because they could not stomach the pressure,” she said.

However, she said through God’s grace and the support she got from family, friends, pupils and colleagues, she had been able to pursue her dream. ends