Aspiring new cricket commentator’s stock rises

Barely a day after her story was published in the newspaper, Mabuza said she received calls left, right and centre asking her if she really could review and broadcast cricket. Ligwalagwala FM and Rise FM are among the local radio stations who interviewed Mabuza regarding her love of cricket.

“I have been reviewing back-to-back cricket matches for Ligwalagwala FM, thanks to Bono (Andiswa Sifundza) and Thembelihle Dladla, the Ligwalagwala sports presenters who are helping me build my profile,” Mabuza said.

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“I have, of course, been writing more about the sport, and my social media audience has since grown in leaps and bounds, more than I expected. It’s beautiful how people are now paying attention to my writing and actually reading my work and asking me to teach them about cricket.

“My village is so proud of me. Now I have people who believe in me and they make sure that they remind me of that everytime they see me,” she said. Mabuza said she now has overwhelming attention from almost all the South African cricket commentators, “and Kass Naidoo has sent me her personal email where I can communicate with her should I need help,” she revealed.

“Natalie Germanos is proud of everything I’ve done so far and how I implemented all that we spoke about,” she said. Germanos is a renowned cricket commentator who mentored Mabuza on cricket commentary and reviews.

“I never thought I’d go out of my house and hear people and my neighbours calling me ‘our commentator’ and wearing a smile on their beautiful faces. “Reviewing matches for Ligwalagwala FM has grown my confidence and trust in my mother tongue, siSwati. I really love the language and I don’t think I initially realised how beautiful it was until now, and I will choose it any day,” she said.

She continued, “This dream is slowly being brought to life, the air is building up so much space for me already and I am called a commentator by almost everyone now. I can say I have other pairs of eyes that see this dream with me.”

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Mabuza was given a platform to refine her commentary skills and reach a wider audience by this Mpumalanga-based SABC radio station. And part of it, according to Mabuza, was to assist her to build her profile.

“Rise FM said to me that they can’t wait to hear me commentate on national TV. They told me that I was talented,” she said. Mabuza is a Mandlesive High School matriculant who joined the cricket academy at Hoërskool Nelspruit in November where she is learning more about the game. She hails from Lihawu in Pienaar Trust.