BABALWA LATSHA

UWC SUPERSTARS BABALWA LATSHA BY LONWABO MARELE

Babalwa Latsha’s interest in rugby has influenced numerous young African girls to follow her footsteps — and their dreams.

In 2014, mentor and former UWC coach Lwazi Mzozoyana and former national rugby player Faik “Blatjang” Hendricks saw her talent while playing for the University of the Western Cape (UWC). They suggested she take the sports seriously so she could make the provincial and national teams.

Latsha had no idea there was a national women’s rugby team at the time but when she hung up her soccer togs for rugby boots, she felt a spiritual tingle down her spine — the moment of truth.

Originally from Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape, the 26-year-old

Latsha, who graduated with an LLB degree at the end of 2019, moved to Cape Town as an infant with her family. They moved around a lot finally settling down in Khayelitsha, Site B.

On the field, the “buff girl”—– as she was hilariously called while working at the campus gym — is a beast. Which is no surprise as her role model is Springbok prop Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira. Off the field, the young prop is a wellversed, down-to-earth woman who advocates for women’s sports in society.

Over the years, Latsha has helped the Western Province rugby team achieve numerous accolades, including being crowned the inter-provincial champs for three consecutive years. She says her next journey will be to win the 2021 Rugby World Cup with the national team.And she may well do so as, prior to becoming the captain of the national team in 2018, she won the SA Rugby Women’s Top Achiever award in 2017.

Her positive influence on the field was prevalent late last year when she became the first African women’s rugby 15s player to sign a professional contract, which saw her join Spanish outfit Eibar Rugby Club for three months at the start of 2020. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, her contract ended sooner than planned but this setback is all but a blimp with the club signing her on for a season-long contract — thanks to her 13 impressive tries during her short time with them.

When she is not leading her club, provincial or national team to victory, Latsha spends her time working with local radio stations and non-profit organisations. Here, she shares her experience on how young girls can use sports as an educational tool and avenue to achieve success in life.

“[Rugby] has catapulted me to a better life for myself and my family. It has given me a voice to be myself, it has given me confidence and empowered me, it has given me a sense of belonging and freedom,” she says.

“Moreover, I discovered rugby to be a tool we can use not only to empower ourselves but to empower and inspire those around us, to bring forth a new generation of young and confident women who are able to lead, be free and stand up for what they believe in.”

And despite her hard work behind closed doors, dreaming big has helped her prepare for opportunities. “The key is to dream big; dream really, really big and work towards that dream. You’re going to meet people along the way; in fact, God is going to place people in your path who are going to help you but they can’t do that if you aren’t ready for that help. And opportunities will come, provided you work extremely hard. Make sure that when the opportunity comes knocking, it finds you ready.”