Western Cape Mountaineers player and Political Science PhD holder Corinne Aurelie Moussi is passionate about sport as she aims to become a renowned expert and women’s rights activist.
At 7, Moussi’s love for sport began while growing up in Yaoundé, Cameroon. She took part in a variety of sporting codes including athletics, soccer, handball and it was her dad who enrolled her into a tennis academy.
Since then, Moussi has been involved in sport and has also managed keep her studies afloat in the 11 years that she has been living in South Africa.
Recently, Moussi and the Western Cape Mountaineers team earned the 2022 Basketball National League title, which she regards as one of her sporting career highlights to date.
Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Moussi chats more about her journey and the state of women’s sport in Cameroon.
Corinne, thank you for chatting to us. Please tell us about yourself and where you are from.
I am Dr Corinne Aurelie Moussi, and I am from Cameroon. I was born in Belgium, and I have been living in South Africa for about 11 years. I love Burger King; I consider myself a competitor and a fierce but respectful lady.
When and where did your love for sport begin?
My love for sports began in Yaoundé (Cameroon) when I was 7 years old. I was quite athletic and engaged in a variety of sporting codes such as soccer, handball, athletics. My first love was however tennis, and it was my Dad who enrolled me at a tennis academy in Yaoundé.
You are a doctor and also play for a provincial team. How do you balance the two?
As a doctor in Political Science, I enjoy carrying out research and as a competitive person playing at a high level is something I personally enjoy. While I do relish academia, sometimes it does get tough but my love for basketball has been crucial in helping me keep sane and stay on top of things. I always say basketball is quasi therapy for me and as a result I am quite intentional in always making time for basketball be it practice sessions, competitive games, or social games. Consequently, it becomes easy to balance work, school, life projects and basketball.
Why is it important to have something to fall back on after sport?
While sport is a great platform and beautiful thing, there are no guarantees in it. Injuries and the lack of opportunities are ever so present and having projects outside of sport bring about a sense of fulfilment and security.
From your observation, what is the state of women’s sport in Cameroon compared to South Africa?
The state of women’s sport in Cameroon leaves much to be desired in terms of adequate resources and opportunities. There are a lot of women involved in sport, be it at the amateur or professional level. The interest and talent is there but resources and opportunities, not so much. However, I remain hopeful that things will get better.
WC Mountaineers recently won this year’s Basketball National League – Congratulations! How was the overall tournament for you?
Thank you very much. The tournament was challenging both mentally and physically, but I am quite proud of myself for thriving outside of my comfort zone given this year’s tournament format and I am so proud of my team’s achievement. Falling short during last year’s final was such a bitter pill to swallow and it was important that we go back to the drawing board. Although we did go back to the drawing board, the tournament this year was very different in that teams had bolstered up, we played two games in a day, and it was tough. Despite it all, we got out victorious and that is not something I take for granted. It is a good feeling being Champions.
What are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
Life is not without its challenges, and I have faced quite a number such as losing games, injury, doubt when carrying out my PhD. As a perfectionist (a trait I am working very hard to get rid of) I tend to be very hard on myself and it’s been difficult to overcome things because of that. Prayer, being kinder to myself alongside talk therapy with my tight knit support system (family and friends) has been crucial in helping me overcome these challenges.
What has been some of your career highlights?
In terms of my basketball career – recently winning the 2022 BNL MVP, being the 2021 BNL top scorer (leading both men and women), USSA All Star, 2017 CTBA MVP.
Professionally, some of my highlights have been being conferred with a doctorate and interning at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.
Who are some of the sportswomen you admire and why?
I do admire Serena Williams, Candace Parker and Courtney Williams. I do love Serena Williams for being a black woman who has dominated the world of tennis, faced so much backlash because of her talent and prowess but continued to excel. Parker and Williams are women basketball players who are phenomenal in their own rights, and I love how they live in their truth.
What progress do young women still need to make in the field of basketball?
Much progress still needs to be done but that is not to say the picture is gloomy. It would be great if young girls could be given various platforms from a young age to learn the fundamentals of the game and play the game. It would also be great if young women were afforded basic respect and due consideration for their individual and collective talents rather than marring these with sexist prejudice or bias. Finally, more investment in terms of attention and resources are needed to achieve positive outcomes.
What’s your advice to young girls who want to pursue this career and how important is it for them to take care of themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally?
It is crucial to constantly remind yourself of how unique and remarkable you are. You need to firmly believe you can be and do whatever it is you put your mind to. I can’t overstate it, but mental health is paramount. Loving oneself is important as well as this dictates how one’s interpersonal relationships would unfold. Do take care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally.
What’s your greatest career ambition?
I would like to be a renowned expert and women’s rights activist.
What is it that people don’t know about you and what do you do for fun?
Most people don’t know it, but I am such an introvert and a lone wolf. I thoroughly enjoy my company and I love watching documentaries, K-dramas on Netflix as well as women’s basketball. I have a newfound interest for going on walks.
What’s your advice to young girls who want to get into sport?
There is nothing masculine about sport, get into it. You will learn so much about yourself through sport and sport will equip you with life-changing tools and lessons.
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