FORMER Upper Highway resident Thula Ndlovu is representing South Africa in the Mercedes Trophy World Final 2023 in Germany.

Ndlovu fell in love with golf when he was still in high school while working as a caddy.

“I only started playing when I was working in the 90s as it is not a cheap sport,” he said.

Looking back, Ndlovu said he feels both honoured and humbled to be part of the tournament.

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“I am very excited. I just can’t believe that I will be representing South Africa in this tournament. God is great; I feel blessed,” he said.

He said that when working as a caddy, at first, he did not like the game as he did not understand it.

“I was only interested in earning money; I was paid R4 a round of golf in those days. However, as time went by, I started loving it as I understood it better. I said to myself, ‘I will play this game the day I start working’. It wasn’t love at first sight.”

Ndlovu was born and grew up in the rural village called Sankontshe and attended Phezulu High School.

“My parents were not working, but there were cows and goats that I was looking after. I had to work temporary jobs on weekends for pocket money.”

He recalled that it was not easy to grow up in a family of six siblings.

“As the firstborn, I had to work so that I could also support them.”

Ndlovu encouraged young people to go for what they want and never let their circumstances or background get in the way of their dreams.

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“Where there is love, there is a way.”

When Ndlovu is not at work or on the golf course, he spends his time with his family.

“I am a family man. I also enjoy relaxing with friends and play jazz music as well as isicathamiya, which I grew up singing in a group that was led by my late father,” said the husband and father of three daughters.

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