Ndlovu’s moment in the sun

Zimpapers Sports Hub

FOR years now, and after the retirement of Pauline Jani (now late), Zimbabwean netball has struggled to find a perfect replacement to fill the national team goal shooter’s position.

Renowned shooters and greenhorns alike have tried and failed to step up to that demanding position.

However, in 20-year-old Thandazile Ndlovu, Gems head coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki may have struck gold.

For a girl who was extremely shy about her height during her formative years and would hide at the netball courts, Ndlovu and the Gems could possibly be a match made in heaven.

The Under-21 national team shooter, who locally turns out for Green Fuel, is currently in Namibia at the African Championships with the senior
team.

Often coming in from the bench, Ndlovu is quickly turning out to be Mutsauki’s ace in the hole at the regional contest, especially as most of the senior shooters tend to blow hot and cold.

“When I was first introduced to the team, I was shocked because I still viewed myself as a kid. I, however, did not allow that shock to get the best of me,” said Ndlovu.

“The coaches told me what to do and I have done it.”

The lanky shooter cuts a lethargic figure off the court, but turns into a beast once on it.

She seems to know how to perfectly position herself, and has accuracy when taking the crucial shots.

Her height, she reckons, landed her on the netball court as she used it to avoid being laughed at.

The towering star, who stands at 1,86 metres, was then first introduced into the Gems camp in 2022, as a developmental player.

At the time she was 18, and had to also use the camp to prepare for the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 games that were held in Malawi in December that year.

This was barely six months after she made a stylish debut in junior national colours in Malawi at the Confederation of Southern African Netball Associations (COSANA).

At the tournament, Ndlovu left a mark, and was duly accorded “Shooter of the Tournament” title when the Simbarashe Mlambo-led team brought home gold.

“Looking at how I got into netball, I never imagined myself here someday. God had it all figured out,” she said.

The former Mawabeni Secondary School star noted that her love for netball then developed during her time at Sobukazi High School, where she had received an Advanced Level scholarship based on the sport.

To perfect her art, she would also attend training sessions with her sister Silothando, who played for Bulawayo-based side Gold Reef.

It was her performance at the COSANA Tri-Nations that captured GreenFuel’s attention, and gave her a crack at the Premier Netball League and then the national teams.

 “It is an honour just to be part of this squad that has so much talent and experience,” she said.

 “It is a learning experience and I also believe that mental strength is key because games at this level are largely mind games.”

Despite excelling on the court, Ndlovu also has her eyes on furthering her studies.

“Sports Science is also on my list, so I will need to figure out a plan to balance my education and netball,” she said.

“My heart is everywhere and giving up any of it is not an option.”

Nevertheless, the young shooter is currently enjoying her time with the seniors in camp.

She marvels at the chance of rubbing shoulders with the country’s big names and getting to learn from them daily.

“This is a rare opportunity and one that any player would dream of,” she said. “Just getting a chance to learn from the best players in the country is something I never dreamt possible, but here I am.

 “I take this to be my only opportunity and I have been learning a lot.”