Dimakatso Kakumbi Dreams of Touring the World

Krugersdorp golfer, Dimakatso Kakumbi, dreams of playing in various countries across the globe as her passion for the sport continues to develop.

The 77-year-old was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2010 and after surviving eight sessions of chemotherapy, she has been on a mission to live out her life as best as possible.

In 2021, Kakumbi retained her Sehuba Golf Challenge title and in the process encouraged her daughter to start playing.

Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Kakumbi chats about developing a love for sport and reveals what sport has taught her.

Dimakatso, thank you for chatting to us. Please tell us about yourself.

I am a loving humble person and well known as “Dimaks.” I am 77 years old active and full of life. I’m outgoing, love travelling, watching sport on TV, and going to stadiums to watch soccer. I was born in Krugersdorp and got married to a loving supportive husband who let me go and do whatever I wanted. We are blessed with two boys and three girls. We relocated to Mmabatho in 1970 and I was one of the first receptionists to work at Mmabatho Sun Hotel when it was opened in 1977.

When and where did your love for sport begin?

I fell in love with golf when I was a teenager and thanks to Seipati Masokoane and Mmamathe Makhekhe who encouraged me to play golf with them at Leopard Park Golf Club in 2005 and the rest is history.

What keeps you going to play golf?

I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer on 01 January 2010 but by the grace of God I managed to beat it after surgery and having 8 sessions of chemotherapy. Cancer did not lay me off from playing the sport I love the most. You have to love and have passion to what you do and it’s a good exercise for me. I play 18 holes, pulling my trolley not using a golf cart and caddy.

What has the sport taught you about yourself?

Golf taught me that you got to have willpower to do what you want, and you will live a healthy life and make sure you look good…You will think that I’m sixty years old.

What would you say are the highlights of your career since you started?

I won the Leopard Park Ladies Championship in 2008 and 2021. In 2020 I won the Sehuba Golf Challenge and again I defended my title on the 19th of December 2021. I have encouraged one of my girls to play golf and she is doing well too.

What do you think of the state of women’s sport in South Africa and what can be done to improve it?

I’ve been winning most of my golf games, unfortunately our ladies prizes are not satisfying like the men’s prizes. Women golfers are not recognized. I wish we could get sponsors to improve the sport.

Please tell us more about the Golf Day you recently held at Leopard Park Golf Club.

My children and friends organized my 77th birthday celebration on the 27th of November 2021… Oh what a beautiful occasion that I will never forget! My relatives, friends and other golfers came to celebrate with me, and I felt so honoured.

What is your biggest wish for women’s sport?

My wish is to see sponsors from all spheres of government that is local, provincial, and national invest in women’s sport.

What do you still want to achieve as a woman in sport?

My dream is to tour countries with my four ball partners. Hoping that my dream will come true!

Photo 1 Caption: Krugersdorp golfer, Dimakatso Kakumbi, dreams of playing in various countries across the globe as her passion for the sport continues to develop. Photo: Supplied