GENDER inequality in South African professional sports cost the country’s first black international female cricketer, Nolubabalo Ndzundzu, an opportunity to make a career out of her passion.
While her male counterparts had endless opportunities thrown their way – from sponsorships to earning a stable income for representing team South Africa all over the world – all Ndzundzu and her teammates got was a stipend to cover meals when they were on international cricket tours.
The former South African cricketer from the dusty streets of Masingata village outside King William’s Town first made headlines at the age of 22 when she made it into the Border cricket team.
Coming from a cricket-loving family, and being the only girl among six boys, it was natural for Ndzundzu to end up playing cricket and with wire cars, while other girls played netball and “house”.
Soon after making it to the Border cricket team, she impressed selectors in Pretoria and joined the SA team for the 2000 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.
“I started playing professionally in 1999 and was over the moon when I was the only Border Cricket player chosen from the tournament to represent the country,” Ndzundzu told the Saturday Dispatch.
“It was even more of an achievement when I realised I was the only black player in the team. I never understood what it was that was different about us because as far as we know your Makhaya Ntinis have never worked a 9-5 job and yet they get endorsements and can make a living from cricket.”
Despite representing the country in two World Cup tournaments in New Zealand in 2000 and South Africa in 2005 and building up accolades such as best bowler in 2000, Best senior sports woman of 2000 and 2001 and woman of the year in the province in 2003, her talent and dedication were not enough to enable her to make a living out of cricket. Instead, she joined the police force.
“I was promised so many things – that I would be employed within Border Cricket after I acquired a driver’s licence, but years went by and there was nothing. The industry has never been equal when it comes to gender,” she said.
After the 2005 World Cup, in which the South African team was knocked out in the semifinals by Australia, she joined the East London public order police service (Pops).
“Had things been different I would have stayed in cricket. The sport does have money and can sustain a player but that can only happen for women if we receive the same treatment as men,” she said.
Although she said there has been a slight improvement for women in the game, the 36-year-old believes a lot still needs to be done.
“There is not enough marketing or covering of the sport; therefore we lack sponsors. There also needs to be development from an early age ... because there is lots of talent in the rural areas.”
Ndzundzu recently joined a cricket team in the police service that will represent the province in the North West soon. She juggles work with managing the Border Cricket women’s team and being an assistant coach with the hope of grooming more players for the national squad. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Woman cricketer blames gender inequality for lost dream
While her male counterparts had endless opportunities thrown their way – from sponsorships to earning a stable income for representing team South Africa all over the world – all Ndzundzu and her teammates got was a stipend to cover meals when they were on international cricket tours.
The former South African cricketer from the dusty streets of Masingata village outside King William’s Town first made headlines at the age of 22 when she made it into the Border cricket team.
Coming from a cricket-loving family, and being the only girl among six boys, it was natural for Ndzundzu to end up playing cricket and with wire cars, while other girls played netball and “house”.
Soon after making it to the Border cricket team, she impressed selectors in Pretoria and joined the SA team for the 2000 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.
“I started playing professionally in 1999 and was over the moon when I was the only Border Cricket player chosen from the tournament to represent the country,” Ndzundzu told the Saturday Dispatch.
“It was even more of an achievement when I realised I was the only black player in the team. I never understood what it was that was different about us because as far as we know your Makhaya Ntinis have never worked a 9-5 job and yet they get endorsements and can make a living from cricket.”
Despite representing the country in two World Cup tournaments in New Zealand in 2000 and South Africa in 2005 and building up accolades such as best bowler in 2000, Best senior sports woman of 2000 and 2001 and woman of the year in the province in 2003, her talent and dedication were not enough to enable her to make a living out of cricket. Instead, she joined the police force.
“I was promised so many things – that I would be employed within Border Cricket after I acquired a driver’s licence, but years went by and there was nothing. The industry has never been equal when it comes to gender,” she said.
After the 2005 World Cup, in which the South African team was knocked out in the semifinals by Australia, she joined the East London public order police service (Pops).
“Had things been different I would have stayed in cricket. The sport does have money and can sustain a player but that can only happen for women if we receive the same treatment as men,” she said.
Although she said there has been a slight improvement for women in the game, the 36-year-old believes a lot still needs to be done.
“There is not enough marketing or covering of the sport; therefore we lack sponsors. There also needs to be development from an early age ... because there is lots of talent in the rural areas.”
Ndzundzu recently joined a cricket team in the police service that will represent the province in the North West soon. She juggles work with managing the Border Cricket women’s team and being an assistant coach with the hope of grooming more players for the national squad. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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