Zola Ntlokoma fighting for economic transformation in SA rugby

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

                                       Photo: Supplied

A product of the Soweto Rugby Club, Zola Ntlokoma, a deeply rooted individual who has rugby ingrained in him, a  passionate character who is a often misunderstood in the society of rugby; is now more than ever determined to push for economical transformation in rugby.


Rugby has given the Soweto born lad an outlook on life, a purpose, something to live for. This has come at a huge price though, demanding a lot from him mentally, emotionally and physically. His journey in the adored game has been nothing short a rollercoaster ride, as it has had its ups and downs, taking him from an exciting young prospect to a rugby administrator for his boyhood club.


"I joined the Soweto Rugby Club in 1995 with many others. I was a young boy, at the time, still in high school basically. Fast forward to the later years when some of us, from my generation, started retiring in batches, most in 2004 and 2005; I retired in 2008. When I retired, I took a different path from my peers. They either went into coaching and some to refereeing, I went straight to the administration of the game. I am one of those who completely branched out to the side of administration, its very few former players who go on to be administrators, provincially and nationally," said Ntlokoma.


The road Ntlokoma took meant, he had to add his voice and intellect in the fight and push for transformation in South Africa. The good fight he was fighting, came at a cost. For him personally and the Soweto Rugby Club as not many are in favour of transformation.


"A series of events happened. It happened that the Soweto Rugby Club became a target of the unions, the ones in this region. The attack came about because we were open and more radical [to] this transformation and development thing. So they would say I'm a politician so they can shutdown or water down from the real issues were talking about. They would associate me with the club, maybe because I am the face or the advocate of saying rugby needs to change and rugby is doing nothing about transformation, then we became targets. I am not the club, and the club is above me, the game is above me.”


“So in 2013, I resigned from [the] Soweto Rugby Club, there was a bigger calling to say let us form Soweto Rugby Union. And then hopefully the attack on the club it goes down, then they can face us on this new entity. But in 2015, the people left at the club merged with Jabulani High School and formed Soweto Rugby Eagles. I do not know what informed that decision, whether good or bad,” said Ntlokoma.


With the Soweto Rugby Union established, the struggle for transformation would gain more traction as the union represented clubs in the biggest township in the land. Many could not separate the newly formed union to the Soweto Rugby Club, that affected the club in many ways.


"Sowto Rugby Union is a concept that was developed in September 2013 at the Jabulani Civic Center, where there was a Soweto Sports Indaba, so the union does not come from Soweto Rugby Club, but it was a call from sporting bodies. So Soweto Rugby Club and others had to abide [with the] resolutions. At the end I became a target, Soweto Rugby Club became a target. And [those] who created this cult, they were unions, the Lions and the Blue Bulls, as a way of propaganda, to kill this thing before it gains momentum. What is this thing about? It’s about opportunities, resources, equality, societal issues, economical issues; you can go on and mention a lot more things," said Ntlokoma.


Economic transformation is something Ntlokoma is banging on about. Representation of black players on the field does seem easy on the eye, but the economic sector of rugby is still exclusive to white people providing little to nothing in terms of including black people.


"Whether you like it or not, rugby as a sport within the sports industry in this country, does contribute economically. Then within that percentage that benefits from those types of economic, that take place in rugby, it is less than a percent of black people that are benefiting in the economy.”


“If you look at it in terms of contracts and endorsements. It's only Bryan Habana and Siya Kholisi who are properly sorted, financially, out of all this. You can then group them, they do not even make 1% of blacks in rugby. Whereas you have in Nelson Mandela Bay and East London, where there are a lot of clubs and players, and then you tell me we can not make a percentage in terms of benefiting economically. Then they say people like myself should shut up,” said Ntlokoma.


We have seen, recently, players who were once contracted, some even dawn the Springboks jersey, left for dead and broke. While there are white players who were not even as talented, set for life. The economic inequality prevalent in rugby means employment for black people in the sport is non existent and Ntlokoma believes it is one that we should tap into as a country. Not only looking at rugby, but at all sporting codes as they can contribute significantly towards the countries GDP.


"Black rugby players in this country, might not to hear this, but they are brainwashed to think that living from hand to mouth is it. But if you look at young white boys, they are sorted; they have got farms and stuff, how many black players can say they own farms. There was a boy who was playing for the Blue Bulls, I forgot his name, but he retired at the age of 26 and went to farming. He has got his own farm, not his father’s or grandfather’s, he bought his own.”


“We need to decolonise our minds as black in this sport, and not only look at, ‘I want to play for the Blue Bulls,’ ‘I want to play for the Springboks’ and think it starts and ends there. You need to know that there is an industry that needs to be opened for generations to come, that is what we are fighting for,” said Ntlokoma.


Non nobis sed posteris, not for us but those who are to come. Despite the never ending ups and downs, the attacks, have not deterred Ntlokoma from his mission and vision of seeing economic transformation instead they have broadened it, as he is working on a book.


"I might have changed tactics and strategies. I have chosen to shy away from social media and the press, because there is something I am cooking that might reach a larger audience. I am writing a book, my book, so the ideas are going to be there. The book will tell what I think needs to happen. And those who want to listen will listen, those who want to take lessons out of if will take lessons," concluded Ntlokoma.


The Secretary of the Soweto Rugby Union, acknowledges he was part of the problem that to the downfall of his beloved Soweto Rugby Club but is in the process of re-establishing the Soweto Rugby Club, as he says it has a lot of history. Ntlokoma, a Dreamer. Ntlokoma, a Visionary. Ntlokoma, a man determined to be a catalyst for the transformation he aims to see come into fruition.

My journey to Chloorkop

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

                            Photo: Taken from @TheRealPitso

So the day was the 13th of February, I woke up with butterflies in stomach, trust me they do exsist; this was the day where I would go to the Mamelodi Sundowns Media Day at their training residency at Chloorkop.  I prepared myself, did not even have breakfast in the morning because I was that excited, I was going to cover Pitso Mosimane.


Took a taxi from Protea Glen to MTN Taxi rank in Johannesburg. When I got there, I got on a taxi to Midrand; so on our way to Midrand I asked the drive if he knows where Chloorkop is because I had no clue, it was my first time going there; so I deepened my voice and approached the driver 'Sho Uncle, ngichela ukubuza ukuthi uyayazi ukuba iChloorkop ikupi, lapho iSundowns itraina khona?' He then answered me and said "Ca angazi, uzabuzaphambile" I did not panic, I'm lying, I was panicking!


We get to Midrand at the taxi's final stop, looked around and saw an Engen garage, I figured the petrol attendants would help me find me way to Chloorkop or at least provide direction. I went to Engen and tapped one of the guys and asked him if he knew where Chloorkop was, 'Ekse my bra, waitse gore Chloorkop emo kae?', then answered "Mo Sundowns etrainelang ko teng, neh imo  tseleng eyang Kempton Park. Tswara taxi enyang Kempton Park ko rankeng, and then utla ba bosta gore uya koSundowns." The brother went on to direct me to the taxi rank and it was around corner, I was relieved, pumped, I was electric.


I raced to the taxi rank, asked for taxis to Kempton Park, got one, it was almost full, got in and went to the back seat; in little less than five minutes to when I got on, the taxi was full. I took out my fare, everything went smooth during the paying process, the guy seating at the front seat was brilliant with the maths; collected the drivers money and gave people their changes in quick time, he was confident, checking with the passengers if they got their change, he had charisma.


On our way to Kempton Park, well for me Chloorkop, I was practicing what I was going to say to stop the taxi, so I was busy mumbling "ko Sundowns, ko Sundowns, ko Sundowns". There was a young lady sitting next to me, she kept looking at me, was I disturbing her journey, probably. But I had to practice because I could not afford to miss that stop, so when I saw a yellow wall, I lit up and shouted "ko Sundowns". Climbed off the taxi, checked the time and I was early, I arrived at 08:48, I was proud, I made it to Chloorkop!


I get to the gate, told security I'm here for the Media Day, they gave me the register, filled in my details and then I went through. Then when I settled, I checked my messages, my brother and his wife were trying to get a hold off me, they were checking my whereabouts, so I responded to them, telling them I'm safe and I arrived at Chloorkop.


So I had sat just outside the offices, I was alone, I was just admiring the facilities. As I was planning around and dotting some questions, I saw Pitso Mosimane, he was coming out of the offices,  he was walking towards my way; my heart started pumping, the last time I was that nervous was back in High School, in my grade 8 during a Valentine Ball Draft. As coach Pitso was approaching me,  I stood up, I had made it up  in my mind that I'm going greet him but instead he greeted me first "How are you?", was I astonished, yes, so I replied "I'm well and you coach" then he said " I'm good". That moment right there made me feel like I belogn here, not sure if I'm making sense.

          Photo: Taken from @TheRealPitso


Times goes by, training session starts and members of the media start arriving. Watched the training session with a close eye, trying to see how the club operates, how this breed of winners train and how Pitso Mosimane conducts a training session. He watched on as the players were doing their warm ups, then took charge of the session, seeing him hands on was fulfilling, I saw a wholesome football man.


The training session ended, and it was time for the pre match pressers for the game against Chippa United, first up it was Themba Zwane then followed by Dennis Onyango. Their sessions went by swiftly and then they announced that Pitso Mosimane will be coming next, my anticipation was over, I've watched plenty of Mosimanes press conference, I envisioned the moment many times as student, where I attended a Pitso Mosimane press conference, I just did not know what to expect.


As he was approaching the press stand, the atmosphere amongst the members of the press changed, everyone was suddenly on their toes, people rushed to the table and place their recorders, phones and microphones, the camera operators were getting in position; while I was watching Mosimane come through walking with confidence and swagger with a cup of in hand. He gets to the stand and I'm yet to place my device, so I push through, put my phone on the table and our eyes locked, my big eyes gazed at him and he gave me a nod and I nodded back, noble thing do.


When the press conference started, I zoned out, took myself out of my body, watched, studied how proceedings were going. The press were armed with questions and Mosimane had answers, watching him deal with the press was similar to seeing Picasso handling his strokes or Zinedine Zidane at the 2006 FIFA World Cip, I was watching a master at work. The presser spanned a duration of 30 minutes, the topics discussed included Thapelo Morena, Kaizer Chiefs, BidVest Wits, CAF Champions League, Nelson Mandela, and apartheid and its cruelty. After the press comfrence was concluded, so went to collect our devices and people were having handshakes (this was before the Coronavirus outbreak and handshakes were banned) with man and I did not go to get a handshake.

            Photo: Taken from @TheRealPitso


I left Chloorkop inspired, and wondering how it must be for the seasoned journalists who have covered Pitso Mosimane and just how his relationship with the press is. When I had an opening I, pursued the venture and got in contact with some of my favourite journalists including Mahlatse Mphahlele, Mike Gumede, Busi Mokoena and Njabulo Ngidi. Wanted to know about their experience of covering Pitso Mosimane, from his time at SuperSport United, Bafana Bafana and to the now at Mamelodi Sundowns.


To understand Pitso Mosimanes relationship with the press in his early coaching at SuperSport United, I reached out to one of the most respected journalists, the all rounder Mahlatse Mphahlele, I wanted to know what was the reception Mosimane got from the press and get to know about their relationship.


"When Pitso came we did not expect much from him as there was little known of him back then. He replaced Bruce Grobbler, who was a very chaotic and disorganized character, so to seek stability SuperSport brought in Pitso Mosimane.


From the beginning Mosimane, has always been very opinionated, he has always been someone who speaks their mind. The media has always mistaken his confidence for arrogance, but his relationship with the media during his time with SuperSport was good, he did a lot of media initiatives. Yes, he was inexperienced in terms of dealing with the media but was always willing to learn as time went by.


At SuperSport he worked well with everyone, you can even ask the officials, then senior players and former players, he brought in a lot of youngsters. He was was very successful, winning the Top 8 and the successful league finishes. In doing so he earned the right to speak while others just speak.


Our relationship is good now, although in the past we have had our disagreements, it happens, its part of the job. But we are good now, there is mutual respect between us," said Mphahele.


Mphahele was able to shed some light on Pitso Mosimanes tenure at Bafana Bafana with dealing with the media on a bigger scale.
"He made mistakes at Bafana Bafana with the media, and he will be the first to raise his hand and acknowledge that. There were times where he did not deal well with the media, when the media went at him he took it personally. There will always be pressure when coaching a national team in South Africa, be it is the Springboks, Proteas or any other sporting code team," added Mphahlele.


The Citizen football journalist, Mike Gumede who started covering Mamelodi Sundowns back in 2016. He elaborated on his experience of covering Pitso Mosimane, he also gave insight to Mosimane the person.


"Pitso Mosimane is like an egg, hard on the outside and soft on the inside. Pitso ke mojita, ke taima, he is just an overall genuine person. He is a human first before being a football coach, he understands life. He know knows that he has to maintain a degree of humbleness, but at the same time he understands that there a level of arrogance that is needed in the industry that he is in.


He is someone who can approach about anything and he is going to answer you, if he can not, he will tell you to ask Sundowns, but still answer you indirectly. His attitude towards the media has changed compared to what it was when he was with Bafana Bafana, he is a completely different character, he is friendlier to the media.


He takes care of the media, he is more open. He understands that we are doing our job and not there to hunt him down when we ask the difficult questions when things are not going well. So he takes care of the media, he knows that we need to file for TV and radio and so on, he can give you 15 stories in 10 minutes. Pitso is generally one of the best guys to cover," commented Gumede.


After Mamelodi Sundowns won the CAF Champions League, Pitso Mosimanes star rose to prominence. New Frame Sports Editor Njabulo Ngidi covered their Champions League winning campaign and was able to paint a picture on the relationship Mosimane has the Egyptian and how the South African media dealt with his newly found stardom.


" It was indifferent. Mosimane respected them, but then Sundowns weren’t a force in the continent so he did not register much in the Egyptian media. But the more they became a force, the more he was respected by them to a point where he was asked by Egypt’s biggest TV station to be an analyst at the AFCON. Now he is royalty in Egypt, where he goes he is mobbed and they want to hear what he has to say.


 Mosimane enjoys a great relationship with the SA media because he is quality, he always offers entertaining soundbites and never says no comment. He can be confrontational and combative, but if you know him you know it’s not personal but it’s because of his passion.


 His time with Bafana Bafana was a huge learning curve for Mosimane when it comes to handling the media. He has now mastered the art of manipulating the media by ensuring that he shapes conversations and talking points, but not necessarily the result. He is a master of deflecting, and he uses that skill well after a loss. He says something outrageous or will set tongues wagging, shifting the focus from his players and the disappointing result. The biggest lesson at Bafana was picking his battles with the media wisely. He did that poorly towards the end and he was slammed. Now he has a better control of the relationship and chooses his battles wisely," elaborated Ngidi.


I reached out to renowned Kaya FM sports journalist Busisiwe Mokoena, to find out how is her working relationship with Pitso Mosimane and get general comments about the contractual situation and how Mosimane has used the media to get his voice heard.


"My working relationship with coach Pitso is that of mutual respect. I’m usually the only woman at a Sundowns press conference or media open day and he has never made me feel less than any of my male counterparts. And whenever I asked for one on one interviews with him he’s always granted me a fair amount of time. I think he respects me as a journalist.


It was a smart move for Pitso to speak about his contract in the media often. Even though it was the media who brought the question up over and over again. He has built a good relationship with the team’s supporters over the years through the results and achievements for the club. By telling the media that he wants to stay in the club and he’s getting the supporters to back him, should the club not give him what he wants," said Mokoena.


Whether Mosimane is going to stay at Mamelodi Sundowns or move on, one thing I know is I'm going to enjoy covering him throughout my career. Maybe one day we will sit down for a cup of tea, he loves his tea.

Basetsana Magashule passionate about touch rugby

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

                                               Photo: Supplied

For many touch rugby is a means of warming up during a practice session or before a match, for others it is a casual sport you play at the park with your friends, but for Basetsana Magashule its more than that, its her life.


" It's made me who I am, it's given me my friends, my special person. So for me touch rugby honestly means everything. I am very passionate about it and  it's my motivation and it's my drive and it's the root of everything else that I would like to do in the world. It all started with touch rugby," said Magashule.


The 25 year old has been playing touch rugby for ten years now. She was introduced to sport in grade 9 at Hillside High School, and she has never looked back. Her development took off when  she made her move to Gauteng Touch Rugby Association in 2017. At Gauteng Touch Rugby Association her love and knowledge for the game grew, and opportunities would present themselves.

                                                Photo: Supplied

"So Gauteng Touch has been amazing to me. Like, if it was not for Gauteng Touch Rugby Association, I would not be where I am. Moving to Gauteng in 2017 was the best decision I ever made. Gauteng has done a lot for me, I am the head coach of the U/15 and head of development. Gauteng Touch, they are passionate about developing the sports not only provincially but nationally, and that is amazing. Honestly speaking, Gauteng has done a lot for me, when I do play for them, I represent them well and always keep them in my heart."

Magashule has grown into an elite athlete, with a top mentality, constantly aiming at improving her game to remain at the top level.

"Touch rugby is just one of those sports that make you want to do better every single time. When you get on the field you are always presented with different situations and you can never say 'that was good'; there is always areas where you can improve, so for me that's a challenge. I always challenge myself every single time, when I'm not happy with something, I am willing to do better. I always look at sports as the end product. So every time I struggle in a game, I always go back, I'm always self criticising and reflecting; saying 'what is my body needing, I need to eat right, I need to sleep right, I need to get faster in that situation, need to be more agile, need to train better, need to work on my left and right passes.


Setting goals is something Basetsana Magashule believes and doing so has helped her throughout her career.


"I love setting goals, I always set goals in terms of what I want to achieve out of the season in the league, in my matches; I always set small goals for myself and I think that helps me get my driven going and to maintain my consistency. And just being humble, most importantly, if you are not humble you are never going to think you need help or you need to work on certain things. So I think being humble is definitely the root of me being able to maintain consistency in my game," explained Magashule.


Magashule was part of the SA Open Ladies team that went to Malaysia at the Fit Touch Rugby World. She cites that experience as one of the best in her life.

                                           Photo: Supplied
                             

"The World Cup was an amazing experience, like there were times when there were games called off because of the heat, it was 56° Celsius at times. When you are at the World Cup level, and you have people running at you, and it is hot your feet are burning, you just have to keep going. I learned a lot about myself in Malaysia, I discovered that my body can actually push harder than what my mind says. Obviously being at a World Cup, you can never have good games every single time. You hit lows, there will be times where you just do not believe in yourself; you ask yourself 'how did you even get here, are you even worthy of being here'. So you need confidence, self confidence because there is a lot going on. You need to believe in yourself, there is no time to get lost in your feelings because its just go go go!"


Her experience at the World Cup, is something she shares with her girls she coaches. She tells her story to inspire her team and give them confidence. Coaching is something Magshule enjoys doing, her passion and dedication translates to her team.

                                          Photo: Supplied

"I am the coach of the U/15 girls, I love coaching girls, because they are so challenging, they need more time to learn certain skills and it's so much fun seeing them learn all these skills. When I coach my kids, I tell them that them that they can actually play at SA level, that is if they want to be there. I always tell them that they are the future of touch rugby, I always try to open their eyes. We won gold last the at the Junior Championships, we won it eventually after l many attempts; we have come close to winning gold before losing at the finals in the past three years. I have 16 girls in my team and 11 made of them made it to the Junior National World Cup squad," added Magashule.


Magashule states that in order for touch rugby to develop in the country, the sport needs more funding and human resources. She is doing her part in developing the sports as she host her annual tournament called Super Six Touch Championships. The competition is aimed at providing game time for touch rugby players. Magashule says the response to the tournament has received been overwhelming and has aspirations of taking nationally as it is still Gauteng based now.

Johann Meintjes leading a good life through his disability

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

                                       Photo: Supplied

"I knew after my accident that I was going to be in a wheelchair, I knew it was going to be permanent. There were two things I had to do, either give up or go on, and I chose to go on," Johann Meintjes.

An esteemed gymnast in his time; getting his Springbok colours in gymnastics in 1977 and for tumbling in 1978,  Meintjes sustained a career-ending injury that left him in a wheelchair for almost half of his life. But his mental resolve and positive personality have seen him enjoy life to the fullest.

"I have been disabled since 1981. I was in a gymnastics injury in a competition, I broke sixth and seventh vertebrae and since then I have been a quadriplegic. Being quadriplegic means I am disabled in all four of my limbs. So since that time I have been disabled, I have been in a wheelchair. During that time in 1981, I stayed at the hospital for quite a long time, I stayed for six months; so they could teach me how to get up, get into position and transfer from one place to another place," said Meintjes

                          Photo: Supplied

Being positive is something  Meintjes had to do during the transitional period in his life, as he, a gymnast before the injury, was always positive. After his injury he had to fall back on that positivism to keep him going mentally, emotionally and physically.

"I was quite a positive person, because of the gymnastics I did. And so I was a happy person, very mentally and emotionally tough, very fit, just a strong person. So that helped me during my disability. I was  very positive about everything, I tried to do everything as possible as I can. From that time until now, everything emotionally and mentally with me has gone well," said Meintjes

Challenges came with the disability, especially in his professional life as an educator. He had to prove that he could function as an able person in the classroom.  Meintjes went on to become the first teacher in a wheelchair in South Africa and had a gymnastics club that spanned 20 years.

                          Photo: Supplied


"Just after my accident, the first challenge that I had was to get into teaching again. I was a teacher before my accident, and I had to convince everyone that I can be a teacher in a wheelchair. At that time, there were no people teaching who were in a wheelchair. So after about two or three months, talking to all the people that will actually decide whether I was able to be a teacher again. Eventually they said yes, I can teach and I was the first teacher in a wheelchair in South Africa. I started teaching at Laerskool Constantiapark in Pretoria and I started teaching there and I did all the subjects, later on I was a physical education teacher and at the moment I'm teaching  computer education. So that was one of the challenges that I had to overcome during my life.

Some other challenges were that,  I still wanted to coach gymnastics, although I was in the wheelchair. So I started a gymnastic club called Gymnastics World, and everyone said I would not be able to do that. I got students to help the younger kids on the apparatus while I was giving instructions, telling them what do, the technique and just how to do it. And for 20 years I had a gymnastic club here in Pretoria and I had over 100 gymnasts at that time. After 20 years I stopped training gymnastics, and I explored some other avenues for myself."

One of those avenues Meintjes explored was photography. He first did it as an activity at school, then studied it and later became a sports photographer. His passion for photography would blossom from there on.

                            Photo: Supplied

"My love and passion for photography came about eight years ago, when I had to get something do at the school. I could not coach rugby or cricket and the other stuff; so I had to get something for myself to do at the school and at that moment we just started a website for the children. I was involved with the website, we had to get some pictures for the website and I got a few kids together and told them listen, let's start a photographic club, where we will get pictures of all the activities here at the school.

And as we got along with that the children got more curious about photography so I had to go and study more about it and later on, we all decided that maybe it's possible to start  the photographic club at the school; where the children can learn more about photography and that is where my love for photography started.

 After that, I got involved with lots of sports to take pictures because I'm a sport lover. So I got involved at the Blue Bulls, and I got accreditation at Loftus to take pictures. And then as I went along, I took pictures at lots of sports venues. And like gymnastic competition and  later on also in sports for disabled people like wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby."

There are struggles Meintjes encountered in his photography career but he has managed to grapple with things, and is improving with time.    

                           Photo: Supplied

"For me as a sports photographer, the key element is that I can not handle a camera in my hands because of my disability. So I had to get someone to build a bold for me that was mounted onto my wheelchair, and then the camera will be mounted to that. And then that enabled me to start taking sport photos.

It is a little bit difficult to follow everything in the games. So but I manage to do it and with practice, things are likely to be better in the future. I will not class myself as an excellent sports photographer at the moment but I'm getting there, I'm getting better and better. I have managed to be a good sports photographer at sports like wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball, it is much easier with things a little bit slower there. I love taking pictures of rugby, cricket and athletics."

Some of the career highlights for  Mentjies include taking pictures at the Super Rugby  games, Sevens Rugby tournament in Cape Town, an international Hockey tournament, international gymnastics tournaments, international wheelchair basketball tournaments and the pictures he has taken of the kids at his school.

Johann Meintjes established the South African Society for Photographers with Disability (SASPD). The association accommodates disabled photographers and encourages people with disability who want to learn about photography to join so they can learn. The organization has representatives all over South Africa.



After his life changing injury Meintjes went on to do great things with his life and he advocates that people who have been in accidents to not throw in the towel but to keep on persevering.

                            Photo: Supplied

"Any person that has an accident and get their dreams and hopes shattered by the disability, I would like to give them positive words of encouragement. Get into something that you like, something that you enjoy doing, that was gymnastics for me. And I had that gymnastic club for 20 years, then later on I went onto something else. It took long for me to discover it but eventually I got into photography and I would say that was the main thing for me.


Be positive about life. I would like people to know that I, even with my disability, I'm still laughing, I'm still smiling, I'm still trying my best with everything. And I like to do things that normal people do and I  go out camping, I do everything normal people do, I kept on doing the same things that I did before my accident," concluded Meintjes.

Segwaba, captain fantastic

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

                                                  (Supplied)


"I want to make history it. I don't know if I can make history, but I know it's possible with God. And that's why I put my faith in God because He's the way, the truth and the light. And I know I am going make history. I know I'm going to make history. I have to make history!" This is not a quote from The Champ Muhammad Ali, The Unstoppable Caster Semenya or The Tennis Maestro Serena Williams, but that of Tshegofatso Segwaba who has boldly proclaimed her quest to make history just as the greats before her.


Determined, dedicated, disciplined & delight are the words one can use to sum up Free State Women's Rugby captain Tshegofatso Segwaba. Born, breed and blossoming in Bloemfontein, she was not exposed to rugby in her upbringing, but Segwaba has grown into being at the forefront of the evolution of women's rugby, in the Free State.


The 23-year-old was allowed to play sports by her parents when growing up. She took her sporting gin from her late Father, who played football in his days. Segwaba used to be a tennis enthusiast but would later fall in love with rugby.


"So, one thing that made me fall in love with rugby was because I was fat. I was bullied for being fat. I wanted something to get me out of my desperate situation. And I wanted something that would expose me, to myself, but I wanted people to see me as the girl I was. With rugby, I was not just that “fat” girl, I had a purpose. I think God had a purpose for me to be fat so I can play rugby," said Segwaba.


The prop started taking rugby seriously in 2016 when she graduated to the senior team. Her journey with being integrated into the senior side is one not short of trials and tribulations. She endured a lot and push herself in order to be where she is today. A feat not seen by many with equal or more opportunities.


"I started taking rugby seriously in 2016 when I started playing for the senior team. Even though it was not easy for me, coming from the U/18 to senior team, I was yet to be polished into being the perfect senior girl. I came with the mentality of an under 18, I was not prepared for senior rugby. So I stayed on the bench for two years before I could be in the first team starting line-up. I had to practice hard and go to the gym. I had to take myself seriously before anyone else could take me seriously. That's one thing I didn't know, before playing for the senior team, I have to prepare myself mentally, physically and emotionally in the senior rugby because it's different from [playing at] U/16 and U/18."


Throughout this testing period, her father provided her with endless support as he encouraged his baby girl to keep on going. He believed in her and knew her love for the sport was not that of a one-day enthusiast.


"I give credit for my talent to my father, my late father may his soul continue to rest in peace. I think he's one person that kept me going in this rugby thing because I wanted to quit. I thought that rugby had no future and I told my dad that I didn't see a reason for me to play rugby, but he said to me that I should not quit.”


“Maybe he knew one day, I’ll be spotted somewhere out in the world or I will be taken seriously. Because I told him almost every day since 2016, that staying on the bench was not nice, knowing that you can play better than anyone else on your position. It was frustrating for both my dad and myself, but he told me to never give up because he knew that I love rugby. I give him all the credit. I think I know that he's proud of me wherever he is. And I give him the credit.”

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After the phase of adjustment into the senior team, Segwaba would come into her own and soon had the captain armband graced upon her, something she has embraced fully. A testament to her character, determination and perseverance.


"The experience of being a captain is the best. Whenever people want to do interviews, it's a gift given the opportunity to do that. And I'm quite talkative. So I love interviews. I appreciate the experience that I was granted. It's a good experience, because it teaches me to be a leader; and it shows that the coach saw a leader in me by choosing me to be the captain, and I think I fought enough to be the captain.

It has its highs and lows. Its responsibilities are great and I try to lead by example both on and off the field. Whenever emotions are high during the game, I try to maintain my composure and calm my peers down. In the game, I talk to the referee and how I conduct myself around him, or her, sets an example for my teammates.


Off the field, I look after my actions and behaviour. So I avoid going out a lot. I do not drink. But I try to set a good example for the players. Even when the coach is addressing us, I'm quiet and I listen because I know the players are looking at me; if I talk, they talk too. If I am quiet, they too are quiet. At our award ceremony, I was given an award for being the 2019 captain and it was an honour, I am truly honoured to be the captain,"


Coaching is something Segwaba does, as its part of her love for rugby. She coaches children from as young as 6 years of age to 18 years of age, and this part of the game has impacted her life in many aspects.


"Yes, I am a coach, and that is going very well. It's quite touching coaching girls especially from different backgrounds. I learn a lot from these girls, even though they aren’t aware of it, but I learned to be patient. I learned to share; I love sharing by the way, and I learned to be a mother at a young age of 20. I learned to be a mother to 14-year-olds to 15-year-old, 16-year-olds, 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds. I’ve got to learn how easy it is for a girl to come from a background without money and I treat them equally whether you have 1000 or you have millions at your home, it doesn't matter when we are in the field. I am also part of  the GIR (Get Into Rugby) coaches, we teach little kids in  grade: one, two and three rugby, both girls and boys from different schools,"


Segwaba is passionate about rugby development and feels like more can be done to further the sport in the women's side.


"Women's rugby is not taken seriously, the ladies who were playing 12 years ago, when comparing, say things were better then, even the match fees were better. We need support: financially, mentally, physically, all of us, as the rugby ladies, soccer ladies, cricket ladies and netball ladies. We also need supporters, we need the crowd to come and watch us play. They can push you when they are singing and their presence can encourage you,"


We all look up to our parents and Segwaba is no different as she is following in her father's footsteps as she is studying to be a teacher. Her main goal in the upcoming years is to graduate and make her mother proud and honour the memory of her father.


“I'm going to study hard so that I can Graduate for my mother sake, and for my sake. I finished high school in 2015 and my peers right now are graduating and I'm only starting with school, with tertiary, now because my parents didn't have money. God is with me all the time. And His delay is not a denial. So I'm not going to pressurise myself and say that my peers are graduating, I should also graduate. I'm just going to take my time in this life thing.”


She also has an initiative that is aimed at giving to underprivileged girls a full make-up experience for their matric dance.


“Yes, I'm a makeup artist. I make-up unprivileged matric girls for the farewells. I just don't make-up them, I pamper them for their matric farewells. I look out for kids who don't have money to for their fails, for example, this year (2020) I have three girls that I am going to pamper. I don't have the money, I don't even have sponsors, but I'm doing it out of my pocket as broke as I am, but I know God will provide like always."


Hopes of playing for the Springbok ladies and a move abroad to England are harbouring in the mind of Segwaba. With her resilience, I would not bet against her touching all of her goals. The name is Dimakatso Tshegofatso Segwaba, and I trust you are going to know her.

Maleka loyal servant to Arcadia

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

I spoke to Arcadia Shepherds Defender, Kagisano Maleka, about his time with the Pretoria based team. The Mamelodi born and raised player has been with the club since 2013, making him one of the longest serving members at the club. 

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Athenkosi Tsotsi: Your time in the club, how has it been and in what ways has it contributed to you, as a person and a footballer?

Kagisano Maleka: My time with the club has been quite beneficial to my development as a footballer. I've learned a lot in a short period and hopefully that will stand me in good stead in the future. Personally, I've grown and formed great relationships with my teammates whom I probably would've never met if not for Arcadia Shepherds and our shared passion for football.

AT: Considering the history of Arcadia Shepherds, how important is it for you guys in the change room? 

KM: Every coach we've had has always been a part of the club from before we were there so they constantly remind us of the responsibility we carry to honour the badge and play with pride and passion.

AT: As a senior player, what are some of the values that you pass on to the younger players and the ones in your youth setup? 

KM: I try to teach them to work as hard as they can. To make their dreams a reality. I remind them that ultimately they are the ones in control of how much they progress and that constant effort brings rewards, not only in football but in life.

AT: This season so far, how can you sum it up and what are the teams ambitions?

KM: The season has not gone well for us so far. The team's form has suffered in the last couple of months, but we are working every day in training to improve our performance level. Our ambition is to gain promotion and bring the club closer to where it used to be in the country's premier divisions.

AT: In football, in your career, what have been the highs and lows?

KM: The lows have been the defeats that I've suffered with my teammates and the injuries that I've suffered (a torn quad and a torn calf). The highs have been winning games, meeting exceptional human beings in the form of my teammates and all the coaches I've had. I'm grateful for everybody that I've met who's made a positive impact in my life.

AT: Going forward what are your personal objectives?

KM: I want to become a professional footballer, so I'll be working towards that until it happens. If it doesn't then at least I'll know I gave it everything I could to try and achieve that goal. Outside of football I'd like to give back to the country by doing philanthropic deeds (helping to build schools and clinics in areas most affected by our high poverty rate).

AT: For the club to reach the top again, what has to be done?

KM: We all need to work a lot harder on the training ground, we all need to put in a greater effort to take care of the stadium (as the municipality has given up its responsibility in that regard), and of course we'll need a bit of luck along the way. But the more you practice, the luckier you get. So the biggest thing is hard work, smart work, and more hard work.

AT: Thanks for your time, wishing you all the best going forward.

KM: Thank you for allowing me to say my piece on the club.

Dobson happy for Notshe

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

"It is easier to say now I regret but at the time it was the right decision but it was a right decision for Notshe which makes me happier," said Stormers coach John Dobson with a low pitched proud tone.


Sharks No. 8 Skhumbuzo Notshe will be going up against his former team on Saturday and his mentor, Stormers coach, John Dobson, is happy to see his mentes thriving in Durban.


"Notshe is a really really good friend of mine, when he wanted to leave he came to my house and we had a long chart. Its weird, you watching him score against the Jaguares and jumping 'yes' but you are playing him next week, so it is going to be really conflicted. He has been wanting that kind of breakthrough for a longtime, I have been working with him since 2012, so I'm really pleased for him, hope it does not go to well for  this Saturday," said Dobson.


After falling down the perking order and struggling for a starting berth at the Stormers, Notshe opted for a move to the Sharks. The move to Durban has paid huge dividends as Notshe is playing his best rugby. After the great form he has shown, John Dobson does not regret letting go of him.


"He is a really good friend of mine, he is a house friend, I say that sincerely. Notshe is a five or six cap Springbok, he wanted to play Springboks and to be a Springbok you have to be starting in Super Rugby. With the plan to move Siya Kholisi to No.8 and Jaco Coetzee, could I guarantee Notshe a place in the starting lineup on the form of last year and the year before, a starting place in the Stormers, would be irresponsible to promise that.


So we literally shook hands, and I said 'Notshe I would love to keep you, we want to keep you,' we made him an offer but he had to look at his reality of game time. So I always knew if he would get a run he would be good, he would come off the bench beating himself up" continued Dobson.


Dobson believes that the Sharks style of play is tailored for Notshe and he has urged his player to close the spaces in an attempt to nullify Notshe.


"I think the turnover style of play the Sharks are playing suits him. It is hard to shutdown Notshe in space, disappointed we could not give him those opportunities here over the past few years. Notshe can do the hard yards, I do think the guys will keep an eye on him, but we can not let him enjoy the space he has in the last few weeks," concluded Dobson.

Make or break for Stormers at the Shark Tank

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

Stormers head coach John Dobson believes that this weekends game against the Sharks in Durban  is a season defining game for his side. 

The Stormers succumbed to their first defeat of the season two weeks ago to the Blues. The momentum the side from Cape Town had left, and they want to rekindle the form that handed them the tag of favourites. On Saturday they face a Sharks team in fine from, coming of a successful tour and win a upon their return home against the Jaguares last weekend. 

"It is a massive game for us, its funny how the world changes quickly, in terms of the conference it is a vital game. This is a conference deifying game and potentially a season defining game for us. The conference is still a long way to go but for us it just feels like its a season defining game," said Dobson.

With injuries hitting their best players, the Stormers go to Durban with an ailing team. Dobson expects a kicking from the home side, he anticipates that the KZN based side will bring something different compared to what they have faced so far.

"The Sharks have the kicking, I think they are number three in the tournament, so they have a massive kicking game. The Sharks are third or fourth for kicking distance in the competition, their kicking contastables are up there. They Obviously lean of turnovers, their turnovers are amazing, their transition from defense to attack is superb. The Sharks have the biggest net effect penalty conceded," said Dobson. 

Nyakane excited about tour

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

Bulls are on their Australasian tour and Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane is filled with enthusiasm as he hopes being away will bring results and team togetherness.


The Bulls on tour will face the Reds, Warathas, Hurricanes and Chiefs. The Bulls had a fairly successful outing last year, replicating that sort of form will be hard acknowledges Nyakane but he's firm that if the unit tackles each game as they come, results will soon follow.


"We will not say we are targeting certain games, we are targeting all of them. We want to have a good tour even though we know it will not be easy but the road has never been easy in Super Rugby, it has not been easy for us lately. I think it is going to be a big challenge for us to get a few points. With that being said, it is not impossible," said Nyakane.


Last week Saturday against the Highlanders, the Bulls secured their first victory of the season, Nyakane believes that the win has propelled them towards  the right direction in the season especially going into this weekends game against the Reds.


"I think the guys have found their foot and are out to work hard. Once you find a team that that wants to work hard and stick together, add a little bit of work rate; it is possible to achieve what you want to achieve.


So it is going to be a tough one against the Reds, they are a good set piece team so it is not going to be easy. We are going to go out there with energy and try to win every game. For us to even think about the playoffs we need to take a step every week and beat whoever we play. If the results sort themselves out we never know where we are going to end. We are going out there with confidence and to win." added Nyakane.


Relishing the tour, as a senior member of the Bulls squad, the World Cup winner is looking forward to bonding and getting to know the younger players off the field in the hopes of increasing cohesiveness in the team.


"It's time away from your family, time away from your surroundings, friends and everything. At times you need that bit of time for a team to stick, to gel and be together to get to know each other better. Last year we showed we enjoyed the tour on the field and off the field, so we will try to do more of the same.


There are some new youngsters that just came in now and it is important for me to get to know the guys on a personal level off the field. The more you get to know a person like that, the more you understand how they think, how they do things and the more you can relate and that transfers on the field. Looking forward to spending time with the youngsters, going to ask a little bit of personal questions, hopefully they can do the same," concluded Nyakane.


The Bulls announced the team to face the Reds and captain Burger Odendaal is included in the starting line up after he had been out injured for two weeks. Coach Pote Human keep the young forwards and flyhalf Mannie Libbok.


Bulls Team:
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ian Groenewald , 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements:
 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ryno Pieterse, 20 Ruan Steenkamp, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Divan Rossouw.

Lions are hurting...

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

The Lions woeful life on tour continued when they went down 37 - 17 to the Rebels on Saturday.

Adding salt to the wound are the injuries sustained by Jamba Ulengo and Wandisile Simelane.

Jamba Ulengo is carrying a server quad contusion and will have to pass a fitness test later in the week to see if he will be able to play on the weekend. Ruled out of Saturdays game is Wandisile Simelane, he has a grade 1 MCL tear on his right knee which is expected to be fine against in two weeks.

Duncan Matthews has joined the team on tour as back up.

The Lions face the Blues on Saturday 14 March  then the Highlanders the following weekend to conclude their Australasian tour.