Mondli Khumalo, a product of the KwaZulu Natal development programme, has proven that a positive state of mind can trump adversity through his compelling journey, writes Naeemah Benjamin.
Mondli Khumalo comes from Umlazi, a township in KwaZulu-Natal which is the fourth largest Township in South Africa.
He grew up with his parents before losing his father at the tender age of 11 years old.
Mondli also started playing cricket at this time and despite his loss he persevered and pushed through his despair and focused on his dream – to one day don the green and gold for South Africa.
Little did he know… his dream wasn’t far from being one step closer.
He was part of the KwaZulu-Natal development programme which was initiated in 2017 with the aim to introduce cricket to the rural and township areas in KZN.
He was full of praise for the good work the development programme did and the help which was offered to ensure he pursued his dreams.
“My cricketing days started with me playing at Umlazi. I played at the Umlazi cricket club and I captained the side in that year. After that, in 2013 I went for trials and made the KZN U13 B team,” said Mondli exclusively to Cricket Fanatics Magazine.
“The following year, in 2014, I got a scholarship from Glenwood prep and had to move from school in Umlazi. Thereafter, I went to Maritzburg college in 2015.
“The development programme is an excellent initiative. It supported me and looked after me as well as sorted me out with cricket kit and got me scholarships to go to schools where I could focus on my cricket.
“They did all that for me, and many other budding cricketers.
“I want to thank the development programme for looking after me for the last few years, because without them I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
Losing someone close to you is never easy, especially for a kid losing a parent at such a young age.
He had a supportive structure and kept his faith throughout the trying time.
“I think the hardest thing I faced was when my dad passed away in 2012 and it was the same year that I started playing cricket as well, so it was really hard for me.
“Coach Sandile from uMlazi kept on visiting me at home during this difficult period and he told me that one day he wants to see me wearing the green and gold.
“I think those words stuck with me and got me through my struggles at the time and kept me motivated to fix my sights on one day playing for South Africa.”
When asked which players he looks up to, Mondli said he draws inspiration from Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and Indian skipper, Virat Kohli.
“I look up to him (Rabada) because he’s humble and I like that about him, that he stays grounded.
“Another person I take inspiration from is Virat Kohli from India, his attitude on the field is a quality I like, it shows his passion and love for the game.”
He made his South Africa U19 debut in 2018, but was not part of the squad for the India and Pakistan tours in 2019. He also missed out on the 20-man pre World Cup squad in November.
He kept on believing and it paid off when he was named in the 15-man squad to represent South Africa at the ICC U19 World Cup that’s being held in SA in January 2020.
Taking that confidence into the Khaya Majola Week, he lit up the tournament with his hattrick and made a name for himself.
“I kept on praying hard and never stopped believing. I never gave up and trained really hard. At school you stay alone in your dorm so I kept on telling, or you can say reminding. myself what I want to be and not once did I ever say I won’t make the World Cup so I had a positive mind at all times,” he continued.
“I won’t say making this team was all me, it was God first.
“It’s an honor and I’m extremely grateful.”
Photo: Supplied
