WATCH: Bafana the horse whisperer
Thanks to his childhood friend, Belinda Martin, Bafana found his passion in life.
Great, humble and hardworking Bafana Ndhlovu (43) loves horses with all his heart, and when he talks about them his face lights up.
One Tuesday afternoon he took time from his busy schedule at Penbritte Equestrian Center, Eikenhof. to speak to the COURIER about horses. He is a horse-riding coach for beginners at the centre.
“Horses are part of me; a horse to me is like a relative. Even if I’m sick, lying on the bed, I then envision a horse and then I’m immediately healed. “That is the effect it has on me. And my journey with them started when I was only seven-years-old. Since then, the only life I know is with horses,” he said.
Thanks to his childhood friend, Belinda Martin, Bafana found his passion in life. He was taking care of the horses and cleaning the stables at the centre when he realised that he is a horse whisperer.
“They are like babies, you need to take care of them. Before going to school I would check and feed them. Although they cannot talk back there are ways to communicate with them.”
He said as the stable grew at the centre, he found the new love to compete with his horse, before then he was riding for fun.
“I was winning most of the races. Then I was asked if I was comfortable leaving grooming to teach horse riding. I was skeptical at first to be an instructor.
“I started teaching with the small children. It was difficult but I soldiered on. My love for horses helped me with this new venture, to top it all children love me because of my patience when I teach them.
“When I have one-on-one with my student, I give all and the results are always positive. This is a mind sport; we use our mind more than our body to achieve what we want.
“When it comes to training, it depends on the mind of the person. When you are patient, listening and ask questions you are likely to learn fast. “Remember horses listen to us so we need to be mindful of how we interact with them.”
Quick this and that about Bafana:
• He follows his name (literally means boys), he has five boys
• In August he was in a car accident but he sustained only minor injuries
• Besides horses, he loves dogs
• He has great rapport with the parents of his students
• Bafana is a go-getter and loves winning
Some of the testimonies from his students:
• Emma Tandy: “Coach Bafana is the best. He always lets me ride Kyla, who is my favourite horse, and is teaching me how to jump which I love.”
• Oratilwe Masitenyane:: “What I like about coach Bafana is that he always lets me ride my favourite horse, Checkmate, and he taught me how to control my horse.”
• Thato Masitenyane: “I love coach Bafana because he is very funny and he always lets me ride Firefly.”
• Robyn Rose: “Bafana, without you I would not be comfortable on a horse, thank you for everything.“
