Andiswa Mbanjwa, a 21‑year‑old from Pietermaritzburg, has been named to the South African kho kho squad for an upcoming Commonwealth competition, the latest milestone in a multi‑sport journey that stretches from netball and athletics to basketball and the traditional chasing game of kho kho.
From school sports to an international shoulder badge
Currently studying for a Bachelor of Education at the University of KwaZulu‑Natal, Mbanjwa juggles campus life with commitments to provincial and national teams. She told East Coast Radio’s Women’s Month feature that kho kho—an agile, team‑based tag sport with origins in India—initially felt unfamiliar, but quickly won her over as she learned its pace, strategy and need for split‑second decisions.
“I felt excited, proud and grateful to see my efforts rewarded,”
The selection marks a rapid ascent. Mbanjwa’s sporting CV already includes representation in netball at provincial level and participation in athletics and basketball; kho kho came later but has opened the door to international duty.
What kho kho brings to South African sport
Kho kho is not yet widely known in South Africa, but its appearance at Commonwealth level provides exposure and an opportunity to broaden the country’s sporting palette. The sport emphasises speed, agility, teamwork and tactical awareness—skills that translate well across netball and athletics, which form part of Mbanjwa’s development pathway.
The profile raised by Women’s Month programming on regional radio programmes contributed to highlighting young women making sport strides in KwaZulu‑Natal. The East Coast Radio Drive team said they were encouraging nominations of other remarkable women in sport, business and community leadership.
Balancing study and elite sport
Mbanjwa’s story is defined by that balancing act familiar to many young athletes: the need to keep academic progress moving while meeting the demands of high‑performance training and competition. Her choice of a teaching degree suggests a long‑term interest in youth development, which is consistent with many athletes who plan to remain in sport as coaches, teachers or administrators.
Her message to other young women is straightforward and practical:
- Believe in yourself — confidence and self‑belief are foundational.
- Keep going — persistence through setbacks matters.
- Stay focused — clear goals help to manage dual responsibilities of study and sport.
Those three lines of advice reflect the common themes that emerge when student‑athletes reach national selection: support networks, disciplined time management and opportunities that arise when they embrace a new sport.
Numbers on her sporting plate
| Age | Hometown | University | Sports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Pietermaritzburg | University of KwaZulu‑Natal | Netball, athletics, basketball, kho kho |
While the precise dates and squad list for the Commonwealth competition were not detailed in the radio feature, Mbanjwa’s selection is confirmation that South Africa is fielding kho kho representation and that athletes from provincial structures are translating local exposure into international opportunities.
The wider implication for sport administrators is clear: diversification of competitive offerings and support for non‑mainstream sports can create new pathways for athletes, especially women, to gain international experience while contributing to broader sporting growth and inclusion.
This selection is also a reminder that university sport remains a crucial incubator for talent. For a young athlete preparing to teach, the chance to carry a national crest offers both personal pride and a potential platform for inspiring schoolchildren back home in KZN.
As Women’s Month programming continues to spotlight achievers, Mbanjwa’s rise from trying an unfamiliar game to wearing national colours is an example of how opportunity, effort and versatility can place South African young athletes on the international stage.
