I
n our first game against Western Province, we were intimidated and mentally unprepared. We had already psyched ourselves out, viewing them as the best team in South Africa, and we forgot that we were also a formidable team. We went into the game with a defeated mindset, which led to our loss. Although we wanted to win, our fear held us back. However, in our second game against Valke, we had a renewed mindset. Our coach made strategic adjustments, and we became mentally and physically ready to win. We embraced the responsibility of representing our country and viewed ourselves as ambassadors of our nation, competing against provinces. With this new found mindset, we won the remaining games against Valke and Blue Bulls.”
“My rugby journey began in primary school when my hockey coach, who also coached boys’ rugby, introduced us to the sport. I was immediately captivated by the excitement and thrill of the game. Our team, though pioneer, won our first match against the
best team in the district. I was hooked! However, I left Lewisam Primary School for Girls High School, where I joined the rugby team and played in the Dairybord Schools Rugby Tournament in 2019. Unfortunately, the tournament was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19, and I eagerly awaited the opportunity to return to the sport. In Form 3, I joined the Pitbulls Ladies club, where I met my U16 coach and developed a deeper understanding of the game. My skills impressed the Lady Sables coaches, and I was invited to train with them at just 15 years old. Although the team disbanded due to low numbers, I was later selected for the U18 Junior Sables squad and eventually played for the U20 team, traveling to South Africa and winning two games.
After Pitbulls closed down, I joined FS Raiders and played in the league, narrowly losing to Zimbiru Titans. Currently, I train with the Zimbabwe Sables, awaiting the opportunity to play in the league when I come of age. Rugby has become an integral part of my life, and I’m grateful for the journey that started with a curious visit to a boys’ match.”
WHEN WE MAKE HISTORY
NOKUTENDA SHORIWA
“When we make history…” I envisioned my team emerging victorious. After our initial loss to Western Province, we watched them face off against Blue
Bulls, a intense and closely contested match. Many teams expected us to fall short against Blue Bulls, given their strong performance against Western Province. However, I was confident in our team’s renewed unity and determination. We had worked hard to address
our weaknesses and were ready to make a statement.
I knew that a win against Blue Bulls would be a historic upset, putting our team on the map and shocking the doubters. We didn’t travel all the way from Zimbabwe to accept defeat; we came to win and make our mark.
“My older brother has been a significant inspiration in my life. He would often visit our high school and bring balls, creating makeshift games with rules that favored him. This challenged me to up my game and push harder to win. When rugby was introduced at our school, I was determined to learn more and prove him wrong. I saw it as a mental challenge, and my brother’s words of encouragement –
‘YOU ARE LIVING MY DREAM”
– resonated deeply. Playing for the national team and pursuing my passion feels like I’m fulfilling his dreams and mine. He’s instilled in me a winner’s mindset, and I’ve trained my mind to focus on achieving our shared goals.”
“The Girls Week was an incredible journey for me. The training sessions were challenging, but we embraced the ‘no pain, no gain’ mentality. We persevered through tough times, intense training, and pep talks, even enduring the harsh winter conditions. Our hard work paid off, and we achieved a remarkable victory against top-notch teams in South Africa. Leading a team of
26 dedicated and talented girls was an honor, and I’m proud of how we worked together towards a common goal. Our team’s resilience and understanding of our shared experiences made all the difference. I’m grateful for the exceptional technical team, physio, and coaches who supported us every step of the way, making us feel like a united family. We trusted each other, and that bond led us to success. Representing our nation was a privilege, and we created unforgettable memories in South Africa.
Some asteroids have us in their sights. Be nice to sort of go near them and find out what they’re made of, possibly tag their ears so they’re always broadcasting to us their location. In case one of their trajectories head straight for us, we’ll know well in advance to do something about it.
I have a personal philosophy in life: If somebody else can do something that I’m doing, they should do it. And what I want to do is find things that would represent a unique contribution to the world – the contribution that only I, and my portfolio of talents, can make happen. Those are my priorities in life.
There’s a lot to do in space. I want to learn more about the greenhouse effect on Venus, about whether there was life on Mars, about the environment in which Earth and the Sun is immersed, the behavior of the Sun.
