From a Jack to a King
Nabooomspruit Bowling Club care-taker Andries Matshete (36) has transformed from the proverbial Jack into a King.
Nabooomspruit Bowling Club care-taker Andries Matshete (36) has transformed from the proverbial Jack into a King.
In-between his menial chores at the clubhouse, from time to time club members invite Matshete to join them on the courts, where he has showed sparks of brilliance with the ball.
He has already earned himself accolades after outperforming many during in-house championships featuring both male and female players.
He is the club’s reigning champion from three contets.
Matshete the man was shy and somewhat reserved about his achievements, saying in an interview he was thankful to all those who made it possible for him to take part in the sport of bowling.
He said thus far he has won three contests, and still has ambitions to win more.
It was Matshete’s ambition going forward to introduce the sport in the township.
Matshete said he was introduced to bowling by the club’s courts maintenance overseer, Dr Piet Prinsloo.
Naboomspruit Bowling Club president, Wimpie Botha, spoke in glowing terms about Matshete’s sheer talent.
He said what made him unique was that Matshete arrived as a player without any experience in October last year, but took to bowling like hand-in-glove.
Dr Prinsloo said one morning he called Matshete and asked him if he would play with them.
“I just showed him the basics, and then Andries took and rolled the ball, teaching the rest of us one or two things about fine bowling,” Dr Prinsloo said.
Matshete was born and bred in Mookgophong, where he attended the Makhutjisha High School.
He started work at the Buffalo mine, and later worked for Kudu Lodge.
Matshete also had a stint at the Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate, where he learned how to tend the greens and fairways.
— The BEAT
