THEMBI KGATLANA

UWC SUPERSTARS THEMBI KGATLANA BY LYNDON JULIUS

Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana has made a mark in South African football’s history books. Known by her second name, Thembi, the striker won the African Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2018 in addition to picking up the African Goal of the Year in the same season.

Having signed her fourth professional contract with the Spanish side ESD Eiber this year, following stints with Portuguese giants, Benfica, Beijing BG Phoenix in China and Houston Dash in the United States, the UWC alumna has never been one to shy away from honouring her time at UWC as crucial to catapulting her career as a professional athlete. Having made her debut for Banyana Banyana in 2014, it was her Varsity Football season in 2015 that allowed Kgatlana to turn her passion and love for football into what is now her full-time job.

“I don’t see what I’m doing as ‘playing’. Some might think I’m crazy when I say this but what I mean is that I choose to view football as a job — and it’s a job I choose to do to the best of my ability,” she says proudly. “The income I get from my contracts with these professional teams has allowed me to take care of my parents back in South Africa and has opened up opportunities for them as well.”

The 24-year-old describes her time at UWC as life-changing and applauds the manner in which the entire staff, management, coaches and administrators work together to make life for studentathletes easier.

“There isn’t a single person alone that has left a mark on my career from my UWC days; it’s a collective effort that has allowed athletes like myself and so many others to focus on the sporting arena while the admin with our studies is handled on our behalf.

“A few key UWC football staff, such as Nathan Peskin, who coached us during my time there, and Sanele Dumako, who devoted his time to me, are definitely well remembered. Sanele helped me grow as a footballer and shaped me as a player. The support of Mr Mandla Gagayi has also meant so much; he is very involved with every student-athlete and tends to all our concerns.”

Having represented South Africa at the Olympics in 2016 and at their first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2018, Kgatlana believes the perception that all athletes can make it on their talents alone is not reality. Despite understanding the pressures of a professional athlete, she knows that completing an academic qualification is as important as an athlete staying devoted to their training programme and remaining disciplined.

“To be honest, I don’t have my degree yet. The sporting world is completely different from the academic world,” she explains. “You don’t need a qualification to be an athlete but you need to work hard and be disciplined just as you would had you been in any other job that employed you based on your academic qualification.”

The one thing that stands out and that will remain etched in the memory of the Banyana Banyana striker is playing in front of a packed Operation Room when the UWC men’s Varsity Football team hosted and won the final in 2015. The women’s team came up short in the match ahead of the men’s final, losing 2-1 to the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), but it was Kgatlana who picked up the Player of the Match award for a prolific display of talent and skill.

“I still remember those days like they were yesterday. Every time I wore that UWC jersey, I wore it with pride and for the rich history that comes with it.

“UWC is truly magnificent, awesome and resilient.”