Historic first for Mashishing as they chase glory and opportunities

Mashishing Secondary School captain Lindiwe Masilela could hardly contain her joy at qualifying for the DStv Schools Netball Championship, powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme, for the first time.

The Lydenburg-based school took the silver medal in the Ubuntu division of the DSNC in the Mpumalanga provincial finals, closing out the long weekend of provincial finals in five provinces. They lost 24-20 to Chief Ampie Mayisa Secondary School to qualify for their maiden nationals set for 23 to 25 July at Hoërskool Dr E.G. Jansen in Boksburg.

The DSNC is a partnership between MultiChoice and South African Schools Netball, launched in 2021 with the aim of unearthing future Spar Proteas stars while also creating a competition that will give rise to new school rivalries, ensuring that all schools, urban and rural, get to experience the sport at the same level.

The competition, in its sixth edition, is divided into two streams, Botho and Ubuntu, which offer an opportunity for the haves and have-nots to go to the top of the competition.

Masilela says that although they want to do well in their first year in the competition, they will use the experience to learn as much as they can to improve.

"I was nervous at first because our wing defence got injured, so I was worried about our defence but I am proud of my team. We did well. Our goals at the nationals are to have fun and learn from the many teams that have a lot of experience playing in the nationals. I think we can challenge the teams that have the best talent as well. Going to the nationals is a big opportunity for us to get spotted, we don’t just play netball for fun or just medals but we would like to build careers in the sport," says Masilela.

Meanwhile, Hoërskool Middelburg defeated bitter rivals, Hoërskool Nelspruit 33-8 in the final of the Botho division. Backed by their fans in their home ground, Middies captain, Rozel Kruger says it means a lot being able to defeat Nelspruit in front of their supporters.

"I’m glad that we have qualified for the nationals. At first, I was worried that we might not win but I am so happy that we have. We just wanted to do our best and I am really proud of every single player. The rivalry between us and Nelspruit is tough, it goes a long way. It is always very difficult to face each other.

Our goal at the nationals is to give our best but we want to get a place on the podium. We want to be at least be third but we are going to do our best," says Kruger.

QUALIFIED TEAMS

Mpumalanga

Ubuntu

Mashishing Secondary School, Chief Ampie Mayisa Secondary School

Botho

Hoërskool Middelburg, Hoërskool Nelspruit

Eastern Cape

Ubuntu

Khanyisa High school

Sobaba Secondary School

Botho

Pearson High School