“ I see myself in the Momentum Proteas set up and not just there but, working hard…….”
Chatting to Nondumiso Shangase
The most talented individuals often make the mistake of thinking just because they’re talented, they don’t have to sweat or work for anything. This is something most coaches have to put up with because athletes think just because they’re very talented, they don’t need to work hard. The truth is simple, no matter how talented an individual is, the absence of hard work will always lead to failure. Nondumiso Shangase is full proof that the phrase, “hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard” is true.
Having gone back to her province, where she put in the hours and the work, Nondumiso is a perfect example of what hardwork can do for one. She played a pivotal role for her team last season and did fairly well for the emerging side as well. She finished off her season with a stellar performance in the inaugural women’s T20 club champs.
Everyone has a story of how they got into cricket and Nondumiso’s story remains one of the exciting ones. Born in Durban where she stays with her 4 siblings, uncle, aunt and gogo(grandmother), Nondumiso used to watch her uncle leave their house to go play cricket. “My uncle used to always go play cricket, especially in June holidays. He would sometimes go on tour for a week and I used to envy him. He would also go every Sunday and because I envied him, I decided to join him in 2013.” Nonduh’s (as she is affectionately known by many) love and passion for the game began as envy for her uncle and grew into something that’s taken her places. She started playing for Lindelani, a cricket club based in Enanda. In her very first year of cricket, Nonduh was selected to represent KZN Coastal U19 girls. It didn’t stop there as she became the first black woman to captain KZN Coastal. Nonduh is also the first black cricketer(female) to score a century in the Senior Women’s provincial tournament.
The 27 year old made her momentum Proteas debut in 2019 in both formats and was even part of the 2020 T20 women’s World Cup. Even though she hasn’t given up on the dream of being a mainstay in the national team, Nondumiso describes her time with the momentum Proteas as a learning experience. The difference in how things are done at that level compared to Provincial cricket and how high the standard is there left her astounded.
As mentioned before, Nondumiso’s game has improved over the last 18 months or so and she believes she has not had to make a lot of changes. When speaking about what changes she had made to her game, she said: “it is not much, I think my mentality because the way I was thinking then compared to now is very different”. This further puts emphasis on the importance of having the right mentality. How you think can change how you do things.
Nonduh has been selected in the national academy squad for the second time and this means a lot to her. She said, ”Being part of the academy again this year makes me happy. It means they have not given up on me and that they are still looking at me” and with all the retirements in the momentum Proteas squad, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to envision Nondumiso’s second coming happening soon.
“I see myself in the Momentum Proteas set up and not just there but, working hard, scoring runs and taking wickets”. This is where Nonduh sees herself in the next 3-4 years.
I put Nonduh on the spot and asked her what she would change about Women’s cricket in South Africa if she was in charge for a day. Her response was out of this world. She said“I would make sure that the momentum Proteas visit every province to inspire youngsters and show them that there are women who play cricket. Most girls don’t know female cricketers and whenever you ask young female cricketers who their role models are, they say, “Kagiso Rabada” or “Temba Bavuma”. They always mention male cricketers. They don’t know or see female cricketers often enough because momentum Proteas matches are not always broadcasted on TV.” This is crucial in the development of women’s cricket. The young girls need to watch Laura play her exquisite coverdrives, Ayabonga Khaka and her deadly slowerballs. They need to be exposed to people they can relate to.
A word from Nonduh to young girls who play and those who would like to play cricket , “Keep playing the sport. It was never easy and it never will be but, be strong, persevere, and carry on playing. Working hard brings results in the end.”
Nondumiso Shangase last season stats
One day tournament
Average 38.6
SR 71.21
T20 tournament
Batting
Average 28.33
SR 86.73
Bowling
Wickets 12
Economy 4.04
Stats by Kobus Janse van Rensburg
