Twenty three year-old Sports Management student, Bongiwe Msomi has returned to South Africa with a gold medal after competing in the Netball World Championships in Singapore. Energetic Msomi said it great to be awarded for being the best player in the tournament…

Twenty three year-old Sports Management student, Bongiwe Msomi has returned to South Africa with a gold medal after competing in the Netball World Championships in Singapore. Energetic Msomi said it great to be awarded for being the best player in the tournament.

Msomi said was an honour and a great pleasure to represent the Durban University of Technology and South Africa at the international event. She began playing netball for Hammarsdale’s Luthayi High School in 2004. Her competitive nature and confidence swayed votes when she was selected as the only player to represent KwaZulu-Natal at national level. Her exceptional talent has molded her into a role model for her seven siblings and also children from her home town. In addition to her studies, she coaches netball to a team of Under 13, 15, 12, and 19-year-olds.

She said “It was great winning the gold medal for the best player as I don’t believe in coming second place.” Juggling school work and sports is no easy task and sometimes results in her missing classes. However she believes hard work, discipline and setting realistic goals has helped her achieve success.

The centre and wing attacker has travelled to participate in New Zealand and the Cook Islands and has achieved numerous accolades but her greatest desire is to be South Africa’s top Netball player.

Msomi believes in social responsibility and aims to develop her community. She continues to challenge stereotypes that some sporting codes are meant for certain people or racial groups.

She said: “There is a lot of talent where I come from. The sad part is these children end up going nowhere even though they have what it takes to make it. I just want to channel that potential to the right direction.”

-By Nqobizizwe Zwane