Victory will always be bittersweet for Caster, Monash student says

By Queen Dithebe

Shanita Pretorius, a Journalism student at Monash University South Africa expresses concern about the results of the 800m race on Thursday

Students at the Monash South Africa (MSA) say that Caster Semenya will never be able to fully enjoy her victories in the Olympics. Shanita Pretorius, a Journalism student says “the speculations about the gold medalist not being woman enough rob both her and South Africa from fully celebrating her victories.”

Semenya claimed her victory on Thursday by a winning heat time of 1:58.15 seconds in the 800m securing a place in the finals on Sunday. This was four seconds slower than her season best of 1:55.33 secs. South African fans claim that if she breaks the final race on Sunday the 21^st, it is likely to be the latest staging part in the saga of her career.

Caster Semenya has been a household name since 2009; winning gold at the world championships in Berlin. The athlete continued on with her athletic career and won a silver medal for South Africa in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Semenya’s victory was short-lived as her muscular appearance raised suspicion in fellow runners and viewers around the world. The pressure from fellow runners and coaches resulted in this athlete having to undergo rigorous testing. Semenya was diagnosed with a naturally occurring condition called hypoandrogenism. This condition is known to cause elevated testosterone levels.

The athlete’s former runners argued that her condition gave her an unfair advantage. This resulted in Caster having to take pills that decrease testosterone levels because of the world athletics. Last year, a Court of Arbitration for sport ruled the international Association of Athletics as illegal. This enabled Semenya to continue on competing in the Olympics.

To further understand the controversy over Caster Semenya click here:

http://nyti.ms/2bqOwEB

During the Rio 2016 Olympics, some of Semenya’s 800m runners wanted authorities to revisit rules that limit the amount of testosterone allowed in competition.British Olympian, Paula Raddifte, told the BBC “It is not just Casters rights but all the women with elevated testosterone that need to be balanced with those that don’t.”

After intense celebration this women’s month, women all around South Africa are celebrating women like Caster who are representing our country on a global platform. Janine Miller, a woman activist said “By winning a gold medal for her country, women like Caster shut down the voices of inferiority and disempowerment that haunts so many women today.”

Miller furthers goes on to say that women like Caster are role models for the youth and many people can aspire to compete with the greats in the years to come.

Caster Semenya will compete in the 800m final on Sunday competing against Kate Grace, Joana Jozwik and 5 others in this highly anticipated event. Many South African fans have begun with their celebrations anxiously awaiting Semenya’s final race. “She has done amazing thus far. I know she will finish off strong”, Miller said.

Click here for the schedule for Caster’s final 800m race on Sunday

http://bit.ly/2bkUTXO

Read More

Former Banyana Banyana player opens up about injury that ended her career

By Queen Dithebe

Zanele Sukazi, commonly known as “Momo” by South African soccer fans, says that her knee injury robbed her of her life-long dream. The former national team striker says that she could never open up about the injury to the public as she felt like she failed herself and her country.

Momo Sukazi, born in Piet Retief, a small village in Mpumalanga, left home at the age of 23 to pursue a career in soccer. This was against the wishes of many of her family members telling her not to participate in sports and rather choose a more secure career in teaching. Sukazi’s mother, Philisiwe Nkosi, a domestic worker at the time wanted a better future for her young girl however Sukazi had dreams of her own.

Sukazi started participating athletics at school level where she realised she was very fast in comparison to the other players. One of the coaches at her school, the late Garry Madonsela, asked her to try out soccer which she chose over athletics. Sukazi began to attend regularly and fell in love with the sport.

The striker said “My coach said to me that I have great potential and that I could play for the national team. Sukazi said that the coach instilled a new desire to pursue a career in soccer. To not only represent her community but her country. 

Sukazi said she used to admire national team players like Veronica Pewa and Nompumelelo Nyandeni. Although she was inspired, she was not really sure about being selected. “No one came to Piet Retief to come select players. Little did I know that that man was predicting my future” Momo said.

“I had to leave home for my dream and sadly, I did not speak to my family for a year. I wanted to play soccer and I was going to stop at nothing.”

Nanet Hutton, a pub and grill manager helped her pay for tertiary studies at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Later on she got a bursary and was part of the university’s national team. Sukazi played for the university team for 3 years. In 2012 she was selected to play for Banyana Banyana. “We played for University Sports South Africa (USSA) and I got selected. The first person I called was my little brother, Sanele Nkosi.” Sukazi said.

The journey in Banyana Banyana 

“When you play you think of your country. You have to do your best.” Sukazi said

The striker said playing for the national team was very challenging. The main challenges she faced were unhealthy competition in the team.

“I overcame this by holding on to representing my country.” Sukazi said.

She participated in the COSAFA Cup in 2011 against Zambia, Zimbabwe and other African neighbouring countries. She also participated in the Olympics Qualifier in 2011 and 2012 playing against Ethiopia and then went on to play in Brazil. She made news headlines when she scored a second goal for South Africa in a match against Tanzania in 2011.

Sukazi was ecstatic and was hungry for more. However, the dream came to an end earlier than anticipated. 

The knee injury that ended her career

During one game everything changed for Sukazi. It was during a June 16 tournament in 2012 and she was playing for UJ. “I was the top goal scorer and we were playing in the semi-finals. The PSL team was practising there aswell.” Sukazi said the Supersport coach was there watching the game and her and Disebo, another team player were about to be called out as they were the best players in that match.

“As I was about to defend, some girl in another team kicked me so heard my knee twisted. The pain was excruciating. It was unbearable. I thought it was the end.” Sukazi said.

Sukazi was on bedrest for 2 months and underwent physio and was on crutches for 2 years. She could not play for South Africa anymore. Phindile Mdhlahla was her res roommate who took care of her when she was on bedrest. “I had to take care of her. Her family told her not to play soccer but I guess she loved it”, Phindile Mdhlahla, her caretaker said.

"No one will ever understand what I went through." Sukhize said.

http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/banyana-make-two-changes-to-squad-1086068

After extensive physio and two years on crutches Sukazi can now walk and plays with local and varsity teams including the Monash South Africa soccer team. She intends on trying again for the national team in the near future. “I am so happy to see her walk again, run again and play again.” Mdlhahla said

 “I feel like I did not represent my country to the fullest, I feel like my success was short lived. I will make my country proud and most importantly I will make myself proud“, Sukazi went on to conclude.

Zanele Sukazi shares her last words of motivation in this video:

Read More