How Hazel Got Her Groove Back!

Eighties netball phenomenon, Hazel Gumede, has a
beautiful spirit, and she lives her life with purpose. She has a deep passion
for netball and works hard to promote her beloved sport, without the need for
recognition or acknowledgement.

Then something special
happened on 1 August 2007. She was inducted into the gsport Hall of Fame,
following international swimming icon, Penny Heyns, who was the inaugural
gsport Hall of Fame inductee. Hazel calls it the day she got her groove back; when
she felt like her old self again.

It’s been an
interesting year for gsport’s 2007 Hall of Fame inductee, who is Head Coach for
Gauteng Netball
Academy and a board member for Netball
South Africa. Even with her busy schedule, she
found time to be with us at the gsport Awards and hand the baton to another
South African sporting icon, Elana Meyer, who was inducted into the Hall of
Fame this year.

Below, in a candid
interview with gsport, Hazel reflects on the year gone by…

Hazel, tell us more about what you have been up to,
since being inducted into the 2007 gsport Hall of Fame?

The year 2007 August
01, was the year and time when I got my groove back. I was brought back to the
limelight from all media corners, Television, Radio stations and newspapers. I
was also getting phone calls from long lost friends and team mates. All were
congratulating me saying they are very happy that there are people and
programmes like gsport that can still revive very dry bones from the grave. The
excitement from my long lost fans was over whelming, Kass, you don’t understand
what You and gsport did to my life and other netball loving people, it was just
excitement and excitement only.

To mention a few
interviews I had last year only, it was Sowetan, City vision, Soweto TV, Jozi
fm, Motsweding fm, Phalaphala, and Ligwalagwala fm. This was only between
August and December 2007. I also got an invite from Klipvalley Primary school
and Rosina Sedibane sport school to give a motivational speech. I did not know
that motivating and counseling other people was my strength as well, that was
discovered unaware.

In October – November
2007 I was in New Zealand
for the Senior World Cup, we did not do well there as a country. We came back
on my birthday 19th November and two days later the 21st Nov. I was admitted at
Lesedi clinic for a minor operation which was successful. January was just full
of meetings and planning for the Gauteng
Netball Academy
where I am a head coach.

Unfortunately in
February fatigue got up with me, and I was admitted at Lesedi clinic again but
for 2 weeks this time. After the discharge I was laid off for 3 weeks, but I
just could not sit and do nothing that on its own was killing me. When I was in
hospital I asked for my laptop to be brought to so that I may start with the
preparation for the squad camp end of March and a function in April.

Unfortunately the
doctors took the laptop from me and kept it in the safe because I was supposed
to relax. Since relaxing is not in my vocabulary that was very difficult for
me. It is so important to look after ourselves, take a holiday once in a while
because the body and mind just give up, only finding that the heart is pumping
so fast to do more.

The squad camp was on
the 28 – 30 March 08 and the function on the 12th April 08, all went well
though organizing was a bit hectic after cheating the recovery period, naughty
girl. On the 18-20 April I hosted another squad camp in preparation for the
game as curtain raisers at the National Netball League on the 25 April 08, the
tournament was as Walter Sisulu Hall.

What did it mean for you to be inducted into the
gsport Hall of Fame?

To be the inductee for
2007 meant a lot to me, it meant being brought back to life, a revival, being
given a second change to enjoy what I like most to the fullest. My patience and
temper were tested through out my netball career, but my award wiped all that
away within no time. I found my self being brand new, same as in the 80’s
again.

How did the public react to these latest
achievements?

Like I mentioned before
that the public was excited and wanted to know homuch I receive and what car. Fans
and neighbors were wishing me well in the future, sending messages to radio
stations and newspapers. Some would just call and say Alluta continua (the
struggle goes on). They were proud of me being still there after all that has
been happening to me during apartheid.

What is your current involvement with netball?

I am the Head Coach for
Gauteng Netball
Academy, a board member for Netball
South Africa, member of the development of
coaches. My focus this year is mainly on the Academy my under 17 years. I am
developing them to future National players.

Looking back on your life in netball, which moments
stand out as the most special?

I could say from the
previous years, it was the year I was first selected to represent the province
in an all white team, though it never happened. The current one is my gsport
award, that’s my new born baby, it revealed my patience, humbleness, passion
and courage and the confidence I have as a woman. Imagine being honoured in Women’s
month, what an achievement. How I wish my grandmother was still alive to
celebrate with me. I am sure I will be celebrating my award every August.

What is your message to Elana Meyer, who was inducted
into the gsport Hall of Fame on 1 August 2008?

My message to Elana
Meyer would be that, firstly I would like to congratulate her for the great
achievement. Being honored as a woman is so great. She is given a chance to
honor God’s purpose for her tirelessly. She has to walk tall even when the wind
is blowing hard, as woman we were made from a bone not ashes that is why we are
so strong. Patience and attitude would be tested, because at time she will
receive call for interviews at awkward times, but she should remain humble and
keep smiling.

She should make sure
that she honours all interviews on time to honour gsport in return. She should
not forget to mention sponsorships if she has for long lasting relationship. Should
expect surprise calls from strangers as well as long lost friends. Should be
ready to stop at the mall for chat with fans and admires. Girl you will be
inspired all the time.

What is your message to your fans who still remember
so fondly your achievements back in the 80s?

They should not give
up, we can still make a difference together, the country needs all of us alone
I could not reach everyone. The young woman are falling up, too much teenage
pregnancy, HIV/Aids all this affects us as woman, parents and the nation. Let’s
shake off the worries of apartheid and make them a stepping stone to move
forward. The young girls need role models like you and me, the new generation
needs role models with a positive history.

What is your greatest ambition?

My greatest ambition is
to see more women leading in sport and climbing the corporate ladder as
Directors and CEO’s in big companies. That will make a difference even with
sponsorship in woman sport as a whole. To see more of the Academy players
representing the country at the coming world cup. Lastly is to see myself as
the National Head Coach at World cup. I was born a leader not second best.