Key Sentence:
- Nolu Nzundzu, the first black African to Representing South Africa’s cricket side.
- Said he felt insulted after being told he was “rude” when speaking Hosa in his mother tongue in front of his teammates.
Nzundzu testified Wednesday at the Committee on Social Justice and Nation Building for his gaming career, which included 16 appearances for South Africa at the ODI and a test in England in 2003.
Ndundzu, who grew up in Lagiata near King Williams Town, explained to the commission how she faced many challenges as a black woman, trying to play the game she loved as a young man and playing with her brothers. Traveling late at night between her hometown and East London to train and later her experiences as part of the women’s national team as an amateur, Nzundzu provides glimpses of many disturbing experiences.
“Because I grew up there, we didn’t speak English, and I was very uncomfortable when asked to speak English. One day, we had to take a team picture, and I had long sleeves, and we had to wear short sleeves. , but I don’t understand what was said when we were told to wear short sleeves because my English is bad. I was very, very embarrassed,” Nzundzu said.
He said that he was the only black African player on the South African team for most of his career, so it was difficult to bond with other players. “I was told I was rude to other people from IsiXhosa, even though there were Afrikaans players, and they even spoke Afrikaans at team meetings if they didn’t understand what was being said in English.”
Became a police officer to help his family finances. “I have to find a job. I’ve spent over five years in the national team, toured all tours, and won nothing. I only get food rations,” he told the commission.
Cricket SA began signing contracts with women’s national team players for the first time in 2013 when six players received contracts. This year fifteen players received federal contracts. Ndzundzu later worked with Brick Cricket as a selection organizer for the provincial women’s team and helped set up a club structure for girls in rural areas.