Eleven years after playing a key role in reviving women’s cricket in South Africa,
Zola Thamae continues to inspire young women to participate in sport.
An active supporter of diversity and transformation, this passionate
cricket administrator is currently vice-president of the SA Women’s Cricket
Association and team manager of the SA Women’s Cricket team.
As you read this, Zola is preparing to accompany the national women’s
team to Pakistan this month
as they look to qualify for the 2009 Women’s Cricket World Cup in Australia, and
she believes the team has what it takes to win the qualifying event, under the
inspired leadership of Cri-Zelda Brits.
She counts South Africa’s
ODI series win over Pakistan
at home earlier this year among her highlights of the national women’s cricket
team this year.
Her favourite cricketers are Proteas fast bowler, Makhaya Ntini, and
national women’s cricket captain, Cri-Zelda Brits, who she refers to as the
"captain of all times".
Since 1987, Zola has been involved in sport as a coach, manager, and
administrator, and this August she added another feather to her cap when she
became the first woman to be elected as a full member of Cricket South Africa’s General Council.
At the time, CSA CEO, Gerald Majola, praised Zola, saying: "She has
given of her time and skills selflessly for women’s sport, especially at
grassroots level where the need is greatest. Free State and South African cricket have
been most fortunate that she chose to focus so much of her efforts in our
sport.
Zola is grateful for the efforts being made by Cricket South Africa in promoting the women’s game, but believes
women’s cricket needs to be marketed better in order to attract sponsorship.
Her greatest ambition is to have at least four or five Black African
girls playing in the national women’s team, and she is inspired by people who
make it against all odds in life.
Introducing gsport’s November Woman, one of women’s cricket’s biggest
supporters, Zola Thamae!
Where does your passion for cricket
come from?
In 1996 I was a member of the then National Sports Council (NSC) in the Free State. In one the meetings women’s cricket was
introduced as one of the emerging recognized sport. It was then that Mr. Ewie
Cronje the father to the late Hansie Cronje recruited me to start women’s cricket
in the Free State.
I was involved in Netball. Upon seeing many people involved in Netball, I then
decided to mobilize girls to play cricket.
What did you do before you got
involved with cricket?
I was involved in Netball in the Eastern
Province (Port Elizabeth) since 1987 as a coach,
manager and administrator. I then relocated to the Free State in 1994 and joined the sport
structures.
How are you enjoying your role as
team manager of the national women’s team?
It is an honour and also a great opportunity to represent your country;
I enjoy managing the National Team so much. It was a challenge in the beginning
but now that a person is used to the various situations that one is exposed to
it is much easier.
What has been your highlight so far
being part of the national setup?
Winning against Pakistan
was a turn around strategy for South Africa
and also winning a trophy in Holland
in August 2007 when we played a test and 3 One Day Internationals.
How would you describe the state of
women’s cricket in South
Africa and how can it be improved?
Women’s cricket structures are in place. We have moved away from the IPT
(Inter Provincial Tournament) where it takes place for a week once a year and it’s
over, meaning if it rains you shall have lost an opportunity to play. Cricket South Africa
has made it possible for Women to play on a regular basis by pumping funding
for Provincial League where provinces are playing in coastal and inland
streams. The centres of excellence have come handy as they concentrate on
development. We need to market the game more so that we can attract
sponsorships as well. The coaches that are responsible for women’s cricket
should be accredited coaches with minimum Level 2 or 3.
The SA women play World Cup
qualifiers in Pakistan this
month, what are their chances of qualifying for the 2009 World Cup in Australia?
There is no doubt that we will win in Pakistan looking at the present
performances. The girls have a fitness programme that they are following and
currently participating in the provincial league. We will definitely qualify
for the next World Cup.
Who are your favourite cricketers
and why?
Makhaya Ntini because he shows determination and focus in what he is
doing. He is an inspiration to the youth of this country.
Cri-Zelda Brits as the fittest player and Captain of all times.
How important is transformation and
diversity to the growth of sport in South Africa?
Transformation is very crucial as we need to show on a playing field the
demographics of the country. Sport is the only vehicle that unites people. Transformation
is all about change and change has never been easy.
How did you feel when you recently
became the first woman voted onto the CSA general council?
I felt very humble and honoured by the nomination and also excited as
well. It was unbelievable news that the men’s world would also realize the
efforts that one puts in cricket matters; it felt like a reward indeed.
But, you’ve held a similar position
on the Free State
Cricket Board for the past few years?
Yes although the ball game is totally different. In the province we
focus on province issues especially at amateur level.
Aside from your involvement in
cricket, what are your other projects?
Is to see youth/young women being involved in sport (usually a
motivational speaker when there are youth gatherings
What advice do you have for women
who would like to make it in a man’s world?
Women should not be derailed in the endeavors they wish to explore; they
must keep in mind that women should be judged based on performance and not on
gender.
What is the best advice you’ve been
given?
Not to be bigger than the game and never underestimate your opponent.
If a young girl would like to play
cricket, how should she go about getting started?
All nine provinces are having cricket unions where a person can visit
and talk to the amateur cricket manager. There are centres of excellence in
most towns where a girl can practice. In terms of equipment, it will be
provided once a player is enrolled.
gsport strives to celebrate
femininity. How would you define femininity and what role does it play in your
life?
Although one is involved in a predominantly/traditional men sport, one
still has to portray femininity and not try and imitate men. Men should still see, appreciate and respect
the fact that one is a lady. As a female you still need to look good and
beautiful. As an individual I maintain to be lady at all times, I should not lose
focus of the fact that I’m a mother of three because I’m involved in a sport
dominated by men. In fact men like to be around women, they treat me with
dignity and respect.
What makes you proud to be South
African?
Diversity of our country that will allow you to be flexible in extreme
situations.
How do you keep fit?
As a busy person, I make time for walking in the evenings, that’s how I
keep fit.
What other sports do you enjoy and
why?
Netball, I guess I enjoy it because of a background one comes from. It
is not an expensive sport, anyone can play, does not need to be a fancy
facility.
gsport’s theme for November is INSPIRATION.
What inspires you?
A person who makes it against all odds in life.
Who are your role models?
Mr. Tokyo Sexwale and Ms Kass Naidoo
What is your greatest ambition?
To have at least four or five black African girls playing in the
National team.
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