hurlingham [ talent]
new kid on the block A young black South African polo player is proving that hard work can triumph over adversity, writes Sally Jones
26 27
26-29_Sbu DumaV2.indd 1
It sounds like an incredible, post-apartheid fairytale: a young black South African from a disadvantaged background is spotted as a talented horseman and, thanks to a whole series of ‘good fairies’ plus his own dedication, is given the chance to make it as a high-goal polo player in perhaps the most elitist arena in sport. As a work of fiction, most would reject it as too far-fetched. However Sbu Duma is busy trying to live that dream, for real, urged on by a string of benefactors and mentors, passionately committed to seeing him succeed, not just for himself but also to send out a message to the underprivileged and aspirational of every race: that South Africa is changing and if you work hard enough, anything is possible.
But how much of this is clever marketing and a triumph of hope over the hard reality of international polo? Certainly Sbu, (short for Sbusisu) a likeable 23-year-old 2-goaler with a fearless, hard-riding style, has so far enjoyed an extraordinary career trajectory of rags to, if not riches, at least astounding opportunity. The son of a humble stable hand on the Maritzdaal Farm at Dargle, in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Sbu’s natural riding ability was spotted when he was nine by the farm owner, the late Dave Kimber, himself a keen polo player. The young Sbu received coaching, support and encouragement at the nearby Lions River Club, followed by a grant from the South African Polo Association in 1999. Two years later, he began representing
5/6/09 09:44:10
