Note to Editors: Please find attached picture and video.
The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal had the great honour of meeting Pietermaritzburg’s very own Tokyo Olympic star, Phumelela Mbande.
She has just recently returned from the Tokyo Olympics, where she represented SA as vice-captain of the woman’s hockey team. A further highlight was the fact that she was chosen to be a flag bearer at the opening of the Olympics.
Joined by her Ward Councillor Ross Strachan it was a delight to engage with her and her family on her success and experience of being elected to represent SA at the Olympics.
Phume first started her schooling career in Mthatha, but only when she moved to Ixopo was she afforded the opportunity to start playing hockey at a private school. From there the sky was the limit having represented her country in hockey at various levels. A truly remarkable achievement.
This is clear evidence that where our children are afforded the opportunity to play sport at a school level, talent is abundant and it can be nurtured and developed, as is the case with Phume.
The sad reality is that the majority of our children are not given this opportunity, thus the statement by the Minister of Sport, Nathi Mthethwa that the Olympic team was not diverse, is of his own making and the failures of government to provide access to sport to all.
Clearly until these disparities are addressed SA will not reach the diversity that is truly represented of our rainbow nation.
Phume has indicated that she would dearly like to get involved in hockey clinics in Pietermaritzburg particularly with those disadvantaged communities that don’t have access to the sport of hockey. A noble gesture and one I will discuss with the KZN MEC of Sport and Recreation, Hlengiwe Mavimbela.
The DA congratulates Phume Mbande on her amazing journey and the ultimate success of representing South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics.