Former Banyana Banyana captain encourages prisoners at Zonderwater to play the game
A correctional officer from Zonderwater makes a positive impact on her community.
Khabo Zitha (46), a former Banyana Banyana captain, is working as a correctional officer at the Zonderwater Prison just outside Cullinan.
She was the Sports Woman of the Year 2022 of the Correctional Services at the Zonderwater Management Area for her involvement and work in sport and recreation in prisons.
Zitha, a great player during her glory days, has been involved in sports and recreation in prisons since 2008.
The ex-Mamelodi Sundowns female star leads the Department of Correctional Services’ Gauteng and national teams as the head coach.
The Mamelodi-born legendary player annually hosts the Khabo Zitha Women’s Soccer Tournament at Muckleneuk Sports Ground in Mamelodi West since 2019.
Zitha said, “I was delighted when I saw players from different parts of the world participating in my tournament.”
Zitha said this tournament gives girls a platform to showcase their talent.
“We have a lot of talent, and when these young girls are nurtured properly, we will have a strong Banyana Banyana team,” said Zitha.
“I was also questioned about my sexuality during my time as captain of the Banyana Banyana, which was a challenge for me.”
She attended Zamintuthuthuko Primary School and used to prefer playing soccer with the boys in the street.
She was recognised for her skills and recruited to play for the Mamelodi Sundowns team from U10 to U16.
When she was supposed to play for the U17 team, she was withheld since she was a girl. She then joined the Soweto Ladies, where she furthered her knowledge in soccer.
She used to play alongside Thokozani Mnguni and Jabbi Motali, who made it to the professional level.
In 2018, she recruited young girls to form a women’s soccer team in Refilwe. When she did not get the needed support from the community, she formed a team in Mamelodi.
Zitha has been happily married for eight years and has a seven-year-old son.
“Life will not always throw you where you want to be and there is where life throws you to be the best you can be in that situation,” said Zitha.
