In the heart of Lwandle, an informal settlement tucked alongside the N2 highway in Somerset West, Cape Town, the modest paved courtyard surrounded by grey coloured mobile classrooms, was transformed into a vibrant stage of triumph and pride for the celebrations of the Nomzamo High School’s senior netball team who emerged victorious in the Ubuntu section of the prestigious DStv Schools Netball Challenge powered by bestmed medical scheme (DSNC).
Against all odds, Nonzamo toppled three-time finalists Lambalati Secondary School from Mpumalanga with a confident 25-17 win, to earn their first-ever DSNC title. From the opening whistle, the Cape Town side dictated the pace, and unwavering focus on their march to victory.
Chris Mgubanto, the school’s principal, beamed with pride as he joined the jubilant crowd. “This is a groundbreaking moment, not just for our school, but for our entire community,” he said.
“As you can see, we operate out of a temporary setup. These mobile units, this simple quad, are our classrooms, our training ground, our arena. But look at what we have achieved. I always tell our learners that no matter how difficult our circumstances, we must rise above them. Today, they have proven that grit, resilience, and heart are more powerful than resources. We are using this victory as momentum. We hit a 93,8 per cent matric pass rate last year, this year, we are going for 100 per cent. As you can see, we also had remarkable success with our soccer team, so we are on the rise. I will use this sporting success as motivation for them to achieve a 100 per cent pass rate in the matric exams.”
Athi Dlakana, the coach behind the team’s success, glowed with pride as she paraded through the school grounds, stopping to exchange heartfelt moments with students in between the mobile classrooms even sharing a moment with security personnel staffing the gate of an institution that have produced not only academic success, but now, also enjoying sporting success.
“I’m incredibly proud of our girls,” Dlakana said. “This win is not just for us, but it’s for every young girl in our communities. The coaching clinics with the Puma ambassadors also made a huge a significant difference. They helped our players build confidence and refine their skills.”
As the celebrations echoed through the community, Dlakana reflected on the road ahead. “Now it is time to hit the books again. We will take a break, focus on academics, and then, who knows we might just be back next year to defend our title.” Indeed a powerful message that success is not only confined to glittering arenas but also rises from concrete quads and humble beginnings.