Tsakani – For Zodwa Bangani, netball is more than a sport. It has been a lifelong passion, a source of discipline and a pathway that helped shape the woman she is today.

Bangani, who plays goalkeeper and centre, started playing netball at the age of eight after her teacher at Phimlani Primary School noticed her potential and selected her for the school team.

What began as an opportunity to represent her school soon became a journey that opened doors and kept her focused on building a better future.

One of her earliest milestones came when she was selected to represent her school in D5, now known as Ekurhuleni East.

Her love for the sport continued into high school at Phulong Senior School, where she and her teammates enjoyed a successful run.

Bangani recalls that the team rarely lost and was even honoured by the Kwa-Thema Police Station. She remembers their coach at the time as Miss Ndaba.

Her journey, however, was not without challenges. Coming from a family where money was tight, Bangani said her mother could not always afford the shoes and other necessities she needed to play netball. Getting money to travel to games was also a struggle.

She credits one of her former coaches for making a significant difference in her life by accommodating her needs and supporting her whenever she needed assistance.

“That really encouraged me to move forward and also to be able to help the less fortunate kids now that don’t afford.

“Netball became more than a sporting activity for me, it helped keep me away from the streets and the dangers that could have affected my future,” she said.

She said the sport protected her from challenges such as drugs and teenage pregnancy, while also teaching her how to interact with people from different backgrounds.

Her passion for the sport has also been fuelled by the players she admires. Bangani named former Proteas stars Bongiwe Msomi and Phumza Maweni as her role models, inspired by their commitment, dedication and style of play, as well as their transition into coaching.

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She first encountered Msomi when she went to KwaZulu-Natal to play against a team that included some of Bangani’s sisters.

She immediately admired Msomi’s playing ability and commitment.

Bangani is involved in the management of the Kwa-Thema Netball Club, alongside some of her sisters, and is focused on helping develop the next generation of players.

Her biggest dream is to see the players she and her colleagues coach reach levels that they once dreamed of reaching themselves, including playing in Telkom campaigns and representing the Spar Proteas, while also achieving academically.

“I would love to see our players that we are coaching reaching the levels we always wished to but couldn’t, playing in the Telkom camps and Spar Proteas, and having them also academically achieving,” she said.

Bangani continues to study the game closely. She watches matches, observes tactics used by other players and teams, and tries to incorporate what she learns into her own game.

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She says the commitment of her teammates and the love they share for the sport continue to motivate her, especially as they work towards achieving their goals as a team.

Although she does not currently see herself pursuing a professional playing career, Bangani would like to see herself working professionally in netball management in the future.

For now, she describes herself as a disciplined and hardworking player who remains eager to learn, grow and improve every day.

“I love netball. I am a God-fearing woman who always dedicates herself to everything she puts her mind to and a hardworking individual,” she said.

Her message to young people is simple: remain committed to their dreams, work hard, respect others and stay humble.

“I would love them to put all their strength and dedication into what they want to achieve, trust in the Lord, respect every person, humble themselves and work very hard for them to prosper,” she cited.

For Bangani, the journey is far from over. From the young girl who was first selected to represent her school to the player, mentor and aspiring administrator she is today, netball remains at the heart of her purpose.