Former national hockey player Thando Zono shares her journey
THE Pursuit of Excellence is the true-life account of former SA national hockey player Thando Zono, a woman from Grahamstown who, despite the odds stacked against her, landed a full athletic scholarship to an American university through a sport she loved and excelled at. The Daily Dispatch caught up with Zono on her return from the US and learnt that she was determined to use what she had learnt abroad to inspire a new generation of youth.
Please bring us up to date with where you are now, and what you are up to.
A: I have just finished my master’s coursework in resource economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the US.
I am currently back home planning my next career move. In the interim I am doing a series of motivational talks in schools in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, while promoting my book.
What prompted your decision to write a book?
A: When I started taking my motivational speaking seriously I saw that a lot of the speakers whom I admired and learnt from wrote books. So I did the same. It was challenging because this was very new to me. Writing was just another medium for me to inspire people.
I wrote about what I had learnt and been through in the hopes that people could take something useful from it.
Can you tell us what your book is about?
A: The Pursuit of Excellence is about my journey through hockey and how my dream to play for the national team led me to play and study in the US on a full scholarship.
It takes you through the experiences of striving for excellence, battling with injuries and life- changing circumstances and still maintaining the most positive outlook.
It’s a story of hope and perseverance which I hope will help inspire people in pursuit of their dreams.
Who do you believe would benefit from reading your book?
A: A lot of students, whether in school or in university. They stand to see someone who was at the same stage in life as them and learnt how to accomplish their goals. Athletes will benefit from this and can relate to managing the demands of playing sport, dealing with disappointments and overcoming adversity.
Parents, teachers and coaches would also benefit from reading the book as it can give them a better understanding of the role they can play in their child’s/student’s/athlete’s life.
What did you learn from your experience of studying in the US?
A: There is a lot less pressure to know what you want to do with your life at the end of undergrad, so you are given the opportunity to grow. There are so many choices and options available to you that the opportunities are endless. College sports is a huge money-making machine, but it is a great experience to be a part of and take part in.
What would you say to a teenager at school who wants to see the world but fears his/her current circumstances may never get them there?
A: Don’t let your current situation deter you from where you want to go. Continue to dream big. There isn’t only one way to see the world. Research what is on offer at the places you want to go.
When I was 14, I had no idea how I could possibly get to the US, but I knew I wanted to go.
Five years later, I was on a plane headed there. I don’t believe in luck, but some things tend to work in your favour and you have no control over that.
What do you believe are the most essential tributes required to write a book?
A: Do the things you say you are going to do. Don’t put it off. Have an outline of what you wish the book to cover and then just write. Aim to complete it first and you can always refine it. Be confident in your work. If you can, try fund it yourself.
How long did it take you to write your book?
A: It took me about six months to write the book. It was very stop-start in the beginning because I was busy with my masters degree and other commitments.
You have self-published using Reach Publishers – where would people get your book from?
A: They can place an order on my website: www.thandozono.com or on my Facebook page Thando Zono (www.facebook. It is also available at Van Schaik Bookstores, as well as on Amazon and Amazon Kindle and Smashwords.
What future projects do you have on the cards?
A: A book launch alongside other South African authors. Giving more talks at schools. Giving seminars at organisations and hopefully moving onto companies.