Nkowankowa Hub cleans up at Cricket South Africa awards
From a bronze medal to a national coaching honour, the Limpopo programme's year of success also produced an SA u/19 representative.
LIMPOPO – Nkowankowa Hub was among the standout performers at the 2026 Cricket South Africa (CSA) Awards, held at the Sandton Sun Hotel on Thursday, July 16.
Coach crowned best in the country
The hub’s coach, Blessing Vumbhoni Mabunda, was crowned Cricket South Africa Hubs Coach of the Year, beating hub coaches from across the country to claim the prestigious honour.
Mabunda’s recognition follows a string of impressive achievements. Earlier this year, he guided the Nkowankowa Hubs girls’ team to a bronze medal at the Switch Schools SA20 competition. He has also played a key role in developing talented young cricketers, including Shelfa Mukhari, who represented South Africa’s u/19 girls’ squad at the Cricket Federation Women’s T20 tournament in Nigeria earlier this year.
ALSO READ: Limpopo’s Shelfa Mukhari represents SA in T20 tournament
Another of Mabunda’s protégés, Nsovo Nkuna, was instrumental in her team’s triumph at the schools’ Phase Two Northern Teams tournament.
From club cricketer to national award winner
Originally from Nkambako, Mabunda began playing cricket in 2011 before transitioning into coaching in 2016. Despite his success, he said he was surprised to receive the national award.
“I honestly did not think I would take home the trophy because I believe there is still more I need to achieve,” he said.
“It is a great motivation, knowing that out of all the hubs in the country, my work was considered worthy of this award.”
Mabunda said the Nkowankowa Hub remains committed to developing young cricketers, adding that seeing players progress and succeed is the programme’s greatest reward.
Motswi adds to the hub’s trophy haul
The celebrations did not end there for Nkowankowa.
Tshepiso Motswi, a learner at Mawawa High School, was named the SA20 girls’ Player of the Tournament.
READ MORE: Nkowankowa girls make mark in national cricket
Earlier this year, she also walked away with the Player of the Tournament and Best Batter awards at the Switch Schools SA20 competition, further highlighting the hub’s growing reputation for producing outstanding cricket talent.
