SAGDB girls accepted for residential scholarships at HPC, Pretoria

14 Year old Zanele Mazibuko and 17 year old Ntsoaki Mokoena from Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State have been accepted on the Department of Sport & Recreation's residential scholarship at the High Performance Centre (HPC) Academy in Pretoria.

The HPC is situated within the grounds of the University of Pretoria's LC de Villiers Sports Complex, and this controlled environment will give the girls the opportunity to be coached by a top coach who will work in close partnership with the medical and scientific support staff. Cynthia Rayner, Vice-President of Women's Golf South Africa and SA Golf Development Board Development Manager, Ratha Motaung, who were both waiting in nervous anticipation while the girls were tested, were overjoyed when they received the news of Zanele and Ntsoaki's acceptance.

"This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the girls have grabbed it in both hands," said Motaung. "Their parents and the community of Phuthaditjhaba are extremely excited about Ntsoaki and Zanele's achievements and we are now receiving new applications from other girls to join the SAGDB's programme."

The girls have been involved in the SAGDB's Free State programme under Motaung's guidance and encouragement for the past few years. He was ecstatic when Rayner contacted him to ask whether Women's Golf SA could apply for scholarships for his protégés.

"The girls know what an unbelievable opportunity has been made available by the Department of Sport, but now it's all up to them," Rayner said. "Hard work and commitment are required in order for them to develop into our future champions."

The girls' days will be divided into sport-specific periods, academic periods at TuksSport School, and residential time.

"Academically the two girls will receive quality education," Motaung commented. "Their performance in golf is also going to improve unbelievably due to the training and coaching programmes they will receive. This is a fantastic achievement."

Picture: From left 14 year old Zanele Mazibuko, 17 year old Ntsoaki Mokoena and Womes Golf SA's Vice-President, Cynthia Rayner at the HPC, Pretoria.