Twizer still holding on

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Gaone Busang

Location : Gaborone

Event : Interview

 

He was such an enterprising and celebrated soccer star, the first crop to represent Botswana when the country made its maiden appearance at the Gabon/Equatorial Guinea Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in 2012.  

The future was looking bright for Mosimanagape ‘Twizer` Ramohibidu but a freak car accident of June 29 last year cut short his career and left him confined to a wheelchair. The accident that affected his spinal cord occurred 14 days after he celebrated his 29th birthday.

Now almost a year after the accident, the former FC Satmos player says all is well and he is keeping up with life and coping with challenges. This is more so that the mother of his two children, Gaone Motlogelwa, is always by his side providing him comfort and hope for the future. 

We find Twizer relaxed on a sofa spotting FC Satmos training shorts and a light t-shirt. Tears well up in his eyes as he attempts to recall what happened on that fateful June 29 morning. 

He says he left Lobatse, his home town, early in the morning heading for Selebi Phikwe where he was based as a player. However, he does not remember what really happened as he approached Mahalapye. 

All that he can recall is the car rolling over and waking up at Mahalapye Hospital with his body aching all over. He says he would only be told later that he was involved in a terrific car accident that nearly cost him his life.

“When I received the bad news that my spinal cord had been injured and I would not be able to walk, I could not believe my ears,” says Twizer. “I knew that it meant a tragic end to my football career. I was on top of my game and part of the national team.”

The former football star says it took him time to adjust but has since accepted his fate and continues to strive for the best for him and his family. 

“I have hope that my spinal cord will one day heal and I can get back on my feet again. The doctors gave me hope that spinal cord injuries can heal although there is no time frame. This can happen any time and I am optimistic that one day I will walk again,” reckons Twizer.

Twizer always needs assistance to move around and get things done. He is grateful to the mother of his two children for standing by him. He says she helps bath and dress him, among other things.

Before the accident, Twizer worked at BCL Mine as a steel pipe fitter but now “I am shut down”.

Fortunately, BCL have not discarded him. “I have been redeployed to do office work whereby I monitor processes, update job cards but in most instances I am behind the computer,” says an elated Twizer, thanking his employer for giving him another chance to earn a living.

However, he does not see himself back playing football.

Meanwhile, Twizer was born in Digawana on June 15, 1995. His football career kicked off in Lobatse as a young boy playing on the dusty streets in the BMC residential compound next to Peleng ward. He graduated to play for BMC FC, starting as an Under 12 then moving up to  U-15 and U-17 teams where he was spotted by other big teams.

His biggest break and the one he cherishes the most was when BMC FC won the 2007 edition of the Coca Cola Cup. He also recalls moments when he won Man of the Match titles on numerous occasions.

“I cherish those moments besides being selected for the national team,” says Twizer, noting that he broke into the national team in 2009 and played until 2013. He then moved to FC Satmos in Selebi Phikwe.

Twizer says he is indebted to the Selebi Phikwe community who continue to give him support as well as Botswana Football Association who sometimes support him financially. 

“I thank them very much and take pride in the fact that I played for my country in the national team,” he says, adding “visits and calls can also cheer me up because that is the support that I really need now”.

“Anything can happen to anyone looking at my situation. Who knew that I would end up like this? Football in Botswana is still at a developmental stage and it does not pay enough. Soccer players should have some qualification or something to lean on when their career ends or cut short,” advises Twizer as a footnote. ENDS