Being a Spar Protea has changed Mngomezulu’s life

For Nomfundo Mngomezulu, being a Spar Protea is more than just about her and her journey. The 20-year-old’s life has changed since she was named as one of the 24 players who have been contracted by Netball South Africa. The contracts are the federation’s attempt to turn the national players into professional players.

“It really changed my life, a lot. There are things that I had been wishing to do and since I got the contract, I have started to do one of those. It has really changed a lot especially for my netball. I have seen the improvement, to wear the (green and) gold dress has been a journey for me. People are starting to recognise this girl who always has a smile on her face on the court,” says Mngomezulu.

It's not only her life that has changed but that of people close to her too.

“Especially to be able to provide for my mum. I am so blessed to have that woman, I thank God for keeping her. She had been struggling since we were young and I have been dreaming to support her so she could do whatever she wants or needs. If she needs something, she doesn’t hesitate to call me. I am in the process of building a house, the process is about to end. I am building her a house. That was one of my biggest dreams for me because I can’t thank her enough for raising me, her prayers, her guidance, and everything she has done for me. This is the only thing I can do for her, for now. I don’t know what God has planned for us and He knows what I wish for that woman,” she adds.

The University of Johannesburg student had a dream start to her national career. Mngomezulu played in both the goal shooter and goal attack position for South Africa in the Africa Netball World Cup Qualifiers at the Tuks Rembrandt Hall when the Proteas beat neighbours, Botswana 6-037 in their opening match. The KwaZulu Natal-born player was even named player of the match, a debut she will remember for years.

“I was shaking but I told myself that if it was time for me to play and be proud of myself, then so be it, since it had been something I had been wishing and dreaming of. I was scared but at the same time, I was really happy. There were a lot of people and playing for my country was coming to life. I got the player of the match and it was really surprising (to me), I was really happy,” she remembers.

Although Mngomezulu is striving in the senior national team, she was not as comfortable in her early days. Senior players such as Phumza Maweni have been a vital part of her growth and confidence both off and on the court.

“I started going to trials for the national team last year, that is where my dream began coming to life because I had been dreaming and wishing to be part of the Spar Proteas team and play for my country. I thank God that He has answered all my prayers. So far it’s been so good and I am really happy. I am enjoying it. I thank God for the talent he has given me,” she says.

“We started trialing in March for the (2021 Spar Challenge Tri) Series, that is where I made the 18 (woman squad) that was going to play in the Series. I didn’t play but I was in the squad. Then this year I was called up again for trials for players that would be contracted and even though I was scared it was really fun. I was scared to play with the big guns, people that have been playing for a while who are international players but I enjoyed it. I mean I was just Nomfundo Mngomezulu from rural areas and now I was here with people I used to watch on TV, I didn’t know that it would happen this soon. I was a bit scared. In my first trials, Phumza Maweni was my opponent and I was shaking. I was scared and she said that ‘I am a person like you, I am human like you and I make mistakes too. I have been in your position too. If I can do it you can do it too,’ and here I am today, one of the 24 Spar Proteas that are contracted,” she remembers.

2022 will certainly be one of the most decorated years of her netball career. Not only did she don the green and gold for the first time in a full capacity arena where she played her heart out, but she was also part of the Gauteng Golden Fireballs team that stunned their provincial rivals, Gauteng Jaguars to the Telkom Netball League title, winning it for the first time. The Road Transport Management student was also named the Goal Shooter of the Year at the 2021 KZN Netball Awards.

She was also part of the UJ team that qualified for its first-ever semifinal spot in the Varsity Netball tournament and to top it off she played in the Spar Senior Netball Challenge final for Johannesburg which were crowned the champions after beating Tshwane.

The Dukuduku Khula village, St Lucia born will see her star rise as she continues to make a name for herself in South Africa as she hopes to make the team that will represent the country at the 2023 Netball World Cup.