Pumla Sathula

The feature player article this week is a special one! The captain of captains, the leader of leaders, the game saving rebounder, but most importantly: Our South African Women's National Basketball team Captain: Pumla Sathula. Without a doubt one of the most humble and passionate players you will find across the board. With a true heart for the game and well respected by all her peers Pumla proudly captains our ladies national team. But be aware! You better have your big game pants on or else you’ll only touch the ball if she’s on the bench. She is well known for her intensity and effort on the court that is nearly unmatched.

Known by some as the peoples shero! I was fortunate enough to get in touch with Pumla to find out about her lengthy national team service:

Full name

Pumla Sathula

Age or birthday

35 Years old

Years played on national team

Since age 16

Games played on national team

Lost count

Best player you’ve played against at national level

The entire USA National Team at the student youth games in Turkey in 2008

Your favourite/standout game at national level

Copy paste Emmarentia Ledwaba’s response lol... Afrobasket Qualifiers in Zim baby!!!

A favourite story from national team

Wow, which one do I share?

I could share how the Snr Womens Basketball team literally shut down Bait bridge looking for scammers, or the time when the national team slept (spent the night) at the boarder (in a taxi) because we arrived late, when we got to the hotel in Mozambique after games to find there is no water. Or when the team refused to get on the bus heading to a tournament because BSA management couldn't guarantee that they would assist players if/when we got injured during the tournament.

"Memories don't live like people do, they always remember you..." Mos Def

A message to the kids

Be coachable, be humble and do it (whatever it is) because you enjoy it. Don't allow FEAR to control you. Try everything and anything while you’re still young. Work to better yourself and not to compete with the next. What you do now CAN and WILL affect your tomorrow. You only have 1 life, LIVE IT positively!! Always gravitate to the GOOD but know that the bad is always there waiting for you to slip up. Have a forgiving heart (forgive yourself and forgive others). Don't forget to PRAY/MEDITATE.