Limpopo born Titans coach, Mandla keeps on flourishing
Momentum Multiply Titans head coach, Mandla Mashimbyi, believes that true success in life comes with creating platforms for other people in helping them reach their full potential.
“The Phalaborwa born and bred cricket coach, told the Herald that real fulfillment is achieved in impacting others to influence the next generation.
“There is a misconception that when you travel overseas, appear on television and play with the best players in the world, you are successful.
“To me you are only as successful as the legacy you leave behind.”
“Material possessions will eventually disappear, but if you have people who are there for you, especially those you have helped, then you have made it in life.”he said.
He explained that he hopes to return to Limpopo in the near future to give back to the community and to help young cricketers advance their skills.
“I was raised by the community. My dad, Wilson Mashimbyi was a pastor for the community and his congregation, and they made sure we have food on our table to become what we are today.”
“Returning home to give back will be a great honour for me,” he added.
In June 2021 he was named interim Assistant Coach to the Proteas coach Mark Boucher, for the test series against the West Indies.
The Proteas won the series 2-0. Mashimbyi says that his cricketing career was not without challenges.
Also read: Artwell joins Titans Academy in Pretoria
At one stage, as a young cricketer in 2005, he lost confidence in his game which led to him pulling out of a contract with the Knights and went back home to Lulekani, with no income for months.
During that period his mother suggested he should apply for a job in the mines. He refused, saying he believed God gave him his talent for a reason.
He eventually decided to fight for his dream and called Brian Frost who was the Titans Amateur Cricket Operations Manager, he understood he was an amateur and asked for a chance to play again which was granted.
In the same year he went on to play for the Titans first team where he performed exceptionally well taking a “five-for” against the Lions.
His courage paid off and he played and captained the Titans amateur team and was awarded player of the year in 2009 before he retired in 2010 after a knee injury.
The all-rounder then started coaching and coached the Limpopo Senior Provincial Mens team, the U/19 and U/17 teams for three years and he was also the Coaching Manager at the Union where he looked after coaching education and welfare.
He went on to coach the South African Country Districts team following great improvements from the Limpopo teams.
Mashimbyi was then appointed Titans assistant coach and he held the position for seven years. In 2013 he was also appointed as Assistant Coach for the SA U/19 side that went on to win the 2014 U/19 World Cup.
He has been the head coach of the Centurion-based team for almost two years now and he says he loves every minute of it.
