11 May 2022

BOPA: Hello Ndadzi! Long time! The reason I called you today is that people always see this giant and serious man on the pitch, tell us who you are.

Ndadziila: Okay. I am Thomas Oratile Ndadziila. I was born and raised in Senete. I am Joshua Bondo’s homeboy. I did my primary school in Senete, from Standard one to seven, then I did my two-year Junior Certificate at Nkgange, then went to  Tutume McConnell College.

BOPA: Ok, but is that all?

Ndadziila: No! I then went to Cwaanyaneng for my Tirelo Setshaba and that was where I started coaching athletics in a primary school. I was just coaching and helping without any skill.

BOPA: What happened after Tirelo Sechaba?

Ndadziila: From 1996 to 1998, I was at Molepolole College of Education doing my Diploma in Secondary Education, majoring in mathematics and physical education as a minor. After completion of my studies, I was posted to Tutume at  Pandagala Junior Secondary where I taught for eight years.

BOPA: So where did you develop the love for athletics?

Ndadziila: When I was at MCE doing Physical Education, I then realised that my love for athletics was immeasurable. Mind you, I was a softball player, but when I got posted to Pandagala, I started coaching athletics using the techniques that I acquired during my Physical Education study.

BOPA: Did you then produce good athletes?

Ndadziila: Most definitely! Khumoetsile Akekabe, Amantle Montsho, Isaac Makwala, and while I was still coaching there, former Botswana Athletics Association president, Thari Mooketsi, called me and told me that there was a course on officiating.

BOPA: And what did you say?

Ndadziila: I told him my interest was in coaching not officiating, but he was blunt and he told me that coaching was saturated hence I should try something different and he flattered me saying with the commitment and hard work he saw in me, I could go places.

BOPA: You and Moks, where and how did you meet and struck this conversation?

Ndadziila: Ha ha ha ha! I was a member of Lefika Athletics Club, which was formed by Moks. So I was recruiting athletes to the club, so going back to the course, he then convinced me to enrol for an officiating course.

BOPA: And then what happened?

Ndadziila: The course was seven or eight days, and I was the top student in our group given that I got 95 per-cent and the lecturer convinced me to go for Level II, and I agreed.

BOPA: When was this?

Ndadziila: It was in 2009, I then went back to coaching again, although I was armed with an officiating certificate, but during school competitions I would be given an officiating role.

BOPA: And when did you take officiating seriously?

Ndadziila: I will say immediately after the course I started officiating full time in 2017, I was then sent for Level II in Kenya. I passed and  only six of us passed out of 27 people.

BOPA: Wow! and then what happened?

Ndadziila: Maybe because I did well, I was then appointed an international technical officer (ITO) and that is the last level of officiating.

BOPA: How come you were appointed ITO despite the fact that you did not have Level III?

Ndadziila: Look, I was appointed because in Africa they did not have people who had done Level III. Then they decided to appoint me despite the fact that I was not qualified at that level, but the advantage was that I performed y well in my Level II course

BOPA: So you were the first African ITO.

Ndadziila: Yes! I was the first. They wanted the continent to have an ITO who could also help bring improvements in the continent.

BOPA: What does that mean?

Ndadziila: It means as an official at Level II, I can officiate within the continent, and I can also be invited to officiate at the World Championships or the Olympics, depending on those who are inviting me.

BOPA: Which competitions have you officiated?

Ndadziila: I have officiated at quite a number of high profile events. I did 2018 African Youth Games in Algeria, 2019 African U18 and U20 Championships in Athletics in Ivory Coast, and I have officiated quite a number of Region 5 Games in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and  Maseru as well.

BOPA: Quite interest looking at your humble beginnings.

Ndadziila: Yeah! In 2018, I was invited by IADC to come for a course for me to become a Level I lecturer, which  we commonly call TOECS ( Technical Officials Education and Certification System).

BOPA: How did you do this time?

Ndadziila: I passed the course. So as it is I can run a course for those who are doing Level I, and I have already done one in 2020.

BOPA: Who are your products?

Ndadziila: Some of them are Phil Van Vil-Ander, Lebogang Oitibetse, Wilson Ntlogelang, and out of 23, I had 12 people who passed.

BOPA: Now what is next for them?

Ndadziila: I want you to get this clear, I had 12 candidates that passed but eight of them are eligible for  Level II.

BOPA: Explain further.

Ndadziila: There are those who have just graduated, and they have Level I certificate, and there are those who should proceed to Level II.

BOPA: I have observed that you know and understand world athletics rules and regulations, and I understand you had a hand in influencing Botswana team in Tokyo to protest after Nijel Amos was tripped, you remember?

Ndadziila: When that incident happened at the Olympics, I was watching the competition at home. Then I requested for the video, very fast, because I had seen it on television  that it did not look like Nijel was the one who brought the American down, but it was the other way round.

BOPA: Explain further.

Ndadziila: Well, the American athlete tripped himself with a spike and then fell. After falling, because his legs were up, he then brought Nijel down. Since Nijel had no-way to pass, that is why they both fell.

BOPA: Let’s talk about the protest. Then, how did you go about it?

Ndadziila: In the rules, there is a rule that says if you feel your athlete has been impeded by another athlete, the athlete has the right to protest and if he/she wins the protest, he could be advanced to the next stage or given a chance to run alone against the time and then qualify, depending on the circumstances.

BOPA: Okay!

Ndadziila: Yeah! When I saw that, I immediately contacted Justice Dipeba, and I then sent him that rule, that is how it went.

BOPA: The very last question. You once disqualified Letsile Tebogo after running a good time in 200 metres, what had happened?

Ndadziila: I knew it was coming. Well, he refused to be interviewed by Botswana Television.

BOPA: Just for that!

Ndadziila: Yes! It is there in the rules. If media is allowed in the stadium, we treat them as part of officials.
It means whatever they want you to do as an athlete, you have to oblige. Mind you, initially he refused after running 100 metres. We followed him and requested the BAA board to talk to him, but the he refused after 200 metres, then we were left with no option, but to apply the rules, and I am happy he has matured, he is a good boy now.

BOPA: Thank you for your time, Mr Rule Man

Ndadziila: Thanks very much Ana! BOPA