Starting a basketball revolution for the next generation

I learnt that it is easier to work hard when you are passionate about something

MY journey in basketball began with my mom advising me to participate in a sport to keep active. While my mom’s words resonated, I still was not sure which sport to participate in. But the moment arrived when I saw a group of boys practising one morning at Montevideo Primary School in Cape Town, and that is when I fell in love with basketball.

Through the inspiration of seeing others play, my love for basketball grew. The passion and enthusiasm in the faces of those playing the sport brought me closer to finding out what the big deal was about bouncing a basketball. Throughout my years of playing, the root of my love for the sport came from the types of relations I built within the basketball community. The kind of energy that was uncommon if the spaces were not of a sporting community.

As a player, I was moulded by Craig Daniels who coaches at Montana Vikings Basketball Club. Coach Craig helped me find my strengths within the sport and gave me an outline of how much the sport relates to life situations that one is likely to encounter. I also grew under the tutelage of Coach Thesline Davids at u12 level, I was probably nine-years-old at the time. Davids, as a coach enhanced my love for basketball, as her approach to it was filled with a lot of compassion and she made the game congenial.

Throughout my years of playing, there have been other coaches who have contributed to the player I am today; Coach Sbusiso Williams, Coach Letha Zulu, Coach Manyani Maseko, Coach Willie Matlakala, Coach Mandla Ngema, Coach Kimathi Toboti and Coach Nompumelelo Ramatsoga.

Encountering the different coaches and learning from them contributed to one of the highlights on my basketball journey, which was being selected for the U16 National Team. It was a dream come true for me, earning the opportunity to represent the country and that encouraged me to work harder. From this, I learnt that it is easier to work hard when you are passionate about something, but more so, that particular passion granted me a greater opportunity. As much as this experience was one of my greatest, it was one of my worst at the same time, as the same opportunity was taken away. And it was from this moment I realised that women are neglected in basketball.

I see myself having a long-term career in coaching. I have already started the process at King Edward VII High School (KES) since 2019. I also want to find other ways of giving back to basketball. I believe that we should always aspire to ensure that there is a particular revolution at hand for the next generation.

To add, I am an aspiring psychologist and are working my way into being a published author as I am currently paving my path into the writing industry.

My last words are dedicated to the women who hold this basketball community together in so many ways. It is up to us to ensure that we firstly work with the little we have. It is up to us to encourage, host, develop and actively assist the next generation so that when South Africa decides to grant women a chance to compete, the opportunity finds us ready. I salute all the women taking up space to advance basketball.