LIMPOPO – MOLETLANE Texas head coach, Thapelo “TC” Seshoka is just a humble rural boy, who, like a young David Livingstone, considered himself quite the adventurer during his formative years.
A dream that was hatched back in 1993 when he was introduced to the game of bats, gloves and hard balls is finally realised as his coaching career is now mellowing with time.
Citing his reason to hang his glove, he mentioned his greatest achievement of all-time: representing South Africa during the 2013 World Softball Super Series in New Zealand.
“It is every softballer’s dream to play at the Super Series. I have already achieved that historic feat, so what other mission will I want to accomplish?” he asks.
Although Seshoka’s revolution has not yet been televised, those who have watched him marshall the defense over the years know how artistic he is at both second base and shot stop positions.
The Zebidiela boy cut his provincial softball teeth during the 1998 Inter-Provincial Tournament held at the Polokwane Cricket Club.
At the age of 18, Seshoka was already a class act at the top of the order. Besides having played for his home team, Texas, he has also contributed immensely at Spikes and at the defunct Polokwane Top Carpets.
While studying at Tshwane University of Technology’ Soshanguve campus, Seshoka’s phenomenal softball intelligence enabled him to negotiate his way into the South African Students Sports Union.
Being an ardent athlete of the game, he sometimes doubles as a player.
“I only play with the boys when there is deficiency at positions where I excel. However, that seldom happens because I have a pool of talented youngsters who are capable of demolishing any team in the country” says Seshoka.
With sufficient softball lesson learned, Seshoka’s growing maturity has been acknowledged by the Limpopo Softball Association when the provincial governing structure appointed him to guide the fortunes of the development teams.
Last year, he took the U/23 team to Durban, where he returned with a bronze medal.
At club level, Seshoka has already won league titles and three notable tournaments: the Texas IQUEMBE competition, Wild Beasts Memorial Tournament and most recently, the Spikes Commemoration Tournament.
After former Mamphiri “Backstage” Sethosa relinquished his head coach position at Texas, Seshoka soon demonstrated that he was more than just a replacement.
Once he had made the dugout his position, he blossomed magnificently, barking instructions with freedom of expression.
“Mamphiri has long bowed out of coaching at club level. I am the one calling the shots and my word is law. I have being coaching the team for almost three years,” says Seshoka.
