Pinky loves playing bowls
Pinky Maphosa read an article in the African Reporter in 2007 about Lotto sponsoring bowlers at Springs Town Bowling Club.
This was enough to peak her curiosity and she immediately made plans to visit the club.
At the club she met the late Barry White who trained her.
This 66-year-old enjoyed bowls so much that she bought her own bowling balls and kit.
Attending the club at first didn’t make her uncomfortable at all, although she laughed at herself for the silly mistakes she made.
Soon after she joined the club, she realised Lotto wasn’t going to pay a cent and she has paid her own club fees.
Because she loved playing bowls so much, she persevered and four months after joining the club, she managed the bowling techniques.
Today this KwaThema resident travels to Springs every Tuesday and weekend to play her favourite sport.
She was a teacher at Zamani Primary School in KwaThema and taught the Grade Five to Seven classes science, life orientation, isiZulu and technology.
Although she retired at the age of 60, she still misses the children a lot.
Her love for the children made her jump when the opportunity arose to teach part-time.
Pinky says bowling is not all about winning but the exercise keeps her mind and body healthy.
She would love it if the younger generation would join the club as she is willing to teach them the necessary bowling skills.
“People have the wrong perception that it is only for older people, but if you look at John Malupe who is a young man, and what he has achieved, it is a clear indication that it is not.”
Pinky insists on praising and encouraging new players instead of laughing at their mistakes.
Another dream she has is that her grandchildren will play bowls one day.
They get the necessary exposure when they accompany her to the club on the weekends they visit her.
The club has fun bowls days where a lot of people do not have the necessary skills, but have fun in trying.
