Softball fraternity mourns death of renowned Limpopo coach

LIMPOPO – The Softball fraternity in Limpopo is mourning the death of a renowned coach, Thabo Tawana, who passed away in a motor vehicle incident in Pretoria West on Friday.

Tawana, who was the pitching coach for South African men and women, started playing softball at Lebowakgomo Wildbeast Softball Club in the 90’s.

He was one of the few players from the province to don the national colours. Tawana participated in various softball ranks, such as the u/19 team, Limpopo provincial team, and the senior national for several years before he retired from the national elite softball division to join the Pretoria Softball Masters’ club the Best Batters.

Some of his achievements include winning a gold medal at the South African Youth Championship tournament with the South African men’s softball team.

The President of Softball South Africa, Mashilo Matsetela, said they have lost an asset in softball. “He was passionate about education and he was always willing to develop and nurture the softball talent in the province. He was a rare breed and he contributed immensely to the growth and development of softball in the province. My heart goes out to the Tawana family, friends, teammates, colleagues and the softball fraternity at this time of grief,” Matsetela said in a statement.

Matsetela added that Tawana’s family will inform them on the details of the memorial service and funeral. “ The family is still waiting for the post-mortem and after that we will announce the funeral arrangements.”