At the KFC T20 International where the Proteas played against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom, KFC recognised the hard work and dedication of one of their KFC Mini-Cricket family members – Tsatsane Mahika from Potchefstroom, who has been tirelessly working at getting kids active in the KFC Mini-Cricket Programme.
Tsatsane Mahika began her teaching career in 1982, at a farm school in the Potchefstroom area.
In 1986 she started working at Madibeng Primary School and it was then that she was introduced to KFC Mini-Cricket. She immediately fell in love with the sport and became a coach.
Now, small children at the school come to her classroom and beg her to let them play cricket, even during school hours.
’I love coaching kids of the KFC Mini-Cricket age,’ she says. ‘They learn quickly and if they make a mistake like dropping the bat when they run they just laugh and then correct the mistake themselves. They just want to have fun and enjoy the game as much as possible.’
The joy that the children have for the game rubs off on the educators that are involved, Tsatsane says. ‘When they get to the age of ten they have learned so much and it is satisfying to see them do what you have taught them.’
The parents have also become enthusiastic supporters of the game, and Tsatsane says she has benefitted by becoming active and fit in the process.
Since then she has produced players like Proteas spinner Eddie Leie who she remembers fondly as a very active and busy kid who took to cricket to keep himself busy and has since moved on to bigger and better things.
‘I remember Eddie very well, he used to sit at my desk in class because he was a very active child and I needed to make sure that he concentrated in class. We got to know each other very well and his enthusiasm in life soon showed itself in his cricket. I feel honoured every time I see him on the field,’ she says.
Tsatsane has watched a KFC T20 International once before when the children that she coached formed part of the guard of honour when South Africa played against Sri Lanka.
However, the 29th of October this year was the first time that she was a VIP and she had the opportunity to hand out the Man of the Match Award at the game between the Proteas and Bangladesh in Potchefstroom.
’I was so honoured to give the Man of the Match Award to David Miller, I thank everyone who made this possible. Now I am going to go back home to tell all my friends that hard work pays off, as long as you keep on working hard for the children the rewards will come.’