Reggie ‘Mapensela’ Ndlovu wins prestigious commentary award

Some local football supporters consider Reggie “Mapensela” Ndlovu as South Africa’s Peter Drury because of his lyrical football commentary. 

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The only difference is that Mapensela does his commentary in IsiZulu for SuperSport TV. 

His ‘uyindoda So-and-So’ and ‘KwaGog’eZola’ have become popular idioms in local football. He also has a special name for each player in the DStv Premiership. 

Ndlovu has described his journey into sportscasting after starting out as an actor in some of the popular local soapies. 

“I started commentary in July 2015, and this is the first award that I am receiving,” said Ndlovu after he was conferred with the Hollard Sport Industry Indigenous Commentator Award.

“More than anything, I am humbled and encouraged to keep on going as someone out there is watching the work that I do.” 

The Indigenous Commentator Award was added to the annual Hollard Sport Industry Awards last year. 

This was done to highlight and celebrate the richness of South Africa’s indigenous languages. 

The award recognises and pays tribute to those sports commentators who bring passion and excitement to the game. 

Those who make the best calls, and those whose emotive anecdotes continually inspire and engage, says a statement from the awards organisers. 

“It needs artistry, it needs poetry, it needs story-telling. I get to merge storytelling and football,” says Ndlovu. 

Mapensela says that studying drama supplemented his ability. After completing matric, Ndlovu studied Television Drama and Production at Durban University of Technology. 

He graduated as an actor and a director. And prior to his career in sports commentary, Ndlovu acted in Scandal, Rhythm City, Generations and Number. 

He was also an assistant director on the drama series, Muvhango. He started his commentary at SABC Sport after trying out in an audition. 

 “With SuperSport, I have done my first Afcon, my first Euros and now I am currently doing my first World Cup. 

“I think it’s a blessing because these are things that I have always wanted to do,” says Mapensela.