Overcoming adversity to leading in sports
“I want people to understand that no matter where they come from they can make it, and that it is important to constantly work on yourself to better and empower oneself.
Tsakani – Defying the odds and impacting lives is what 28-year-old Nontobeko Kubheka wants her legacy to be remembered for. She has been nominated in three categories in the Ekurhuleni Women in Sports Award, namely Sports Women of the Year, Sports Achiever of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. The awards will be held virtually on September 25. Kubheka grew up in Extension 15 and attended Vuyani Primary School. She then attended JE Malepe Secondary School and later Nkumbulo Secondary School. When she was 15 years old her life changed drastically after the taxi in which she was travelling collided with a truck.
Company celebrates Women’s Month by giving back to the community
This led to her spending seven months in hospital. The accident affected her brain function and Kubheka had to undergo surgery on her right hip. “I had to change schools because my grades were dropping and I was no longer able to concentrate or understand what was being taught in class. “That’s when my teachers suggested special school, but due to financial strains at home, we could not afford it. “I lost friends and my whole world was turned upside down, but that’s when I found soccer. “My passion for football started when I met a friend of mine in 2014 and I used to watch him play,” she said.
Moving women soccer forward #MakingIt
The accident happened while she was visiting her father in Swaziland. “I only started talking about my accident this year because I had this fear that people would treat me differently or, even worse, they would pity me. “Both my moms were not aware of how severe my accident was. “Till this day I struggle with pronouncing words and at times I forget things,” she added. Kubheka started volunteering with a local football team during tournaments in Tsakani until she was spotted by Bushi Moloi from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) eMalahleni Campus. He later invited her to join their marketing department on a volunteer basis. In 2012, Kubheka failed matric. “That’s when I started to accept that this has become my new normal and that there are things I will never be able to do anymore. “However, I didn’t want to just sit at home and waste my life. “When I started volunteering, at times I would have to wash the club’s kit, which I didn’t mind doing because one thing for sure is that I never wanted to depend on anyone, and I was willing to work hard to achieve all of my dreams,” she said.
Company celebrates Women’s Month by giving back to the community
Kubheka is serving as the TUT eMalahleni Men’s Football Team manager, South African Football Association (SAFA) Nkangala sport administrator and Coal City Wizards (SAFA National Women’s League) team manager. She was also the manager of the SAFA SAB League Club at TUT, Varsity Football Competition assistant team manager and USSA Football National Institutional Championships at TUT. In 2015 she was awarded a Sport Marketing Certificate and was TUT Team Manager of the Year for four years in a row since 2016. 2016 also saw her winning the USSA National Institution Championships, TUT Logistics Manager, and in 2017 she was the best student administrator of the year at the Sport and Rehabilitation Science Awards. In 2019 she obtained her SAFA D-Licence Coaching certificate and was this year awarded a certificate for Women in Sport Leadership at the South African Women and Sport Foundation (SAWASF).
Moving women soccer forward #MakingIt
She is part of a mentorship programme at SAWASF and Futballing Girls. “I am mostly grateful to my two amazing role models and mentors, Moonira Ramathula and Lerato Mokae. “They have contributed a lot to my growth and are part of my support structure for all the adversities I have come across in my journey. “I want people to understand that no matter where they come from they can make it, and that it is important to constantly work on yourself to better and empower oneself. “Do something because you love it, challenges are everywhere, nothing worth having is ever easy. “My dream is to work at provincial level, while I continue to contribute to the growth and development of female soccer,” she said.
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