LIMPOPO – Duthuni-born u/21 netball player Phophi Nematanga recently represented South Africa at the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) held in Gibraltar from September 20-28, where the national team achieved an impressive fourth place – their highest finish in the tournament.

Nematanga’s sporting journey began with basketball, but she later joined the University of Pretoria Netball Club while still at school.

She recently captained the Spar Baby Proteas and has represented Region V in tournaments across Lesotho and Malawi, winning gold in 2021 and 2022. Earlier this year, she travelled to Jamaica for an u/21 test series and played practice matches in England before heading to Gibraltar for the NWYC. Her talent caught the eye of national selectors, earning her a spot on the South African team.

For Nematanga, sport is about more than medals. It has instilled discipline, resilience, and focus on her life goals.

“It has taught me to be strong and unapologetic about my capabilities,” she told CV.

She noted the challenges of limited tournaments, but said that perseverance pays off. Education remains a priority for her, and excelling in matric inspired her to pursue university while continuing to play netball. She encourages young athletes to stay focused, highlighting that sport opens doors and exposes one to the wider world.