Stylish Springbok centre Zinhle Ndawonde thrilled with top accolade
Springbok women’s centre Zinhle Ndawonde is still on cloud nine, days after walking away with an accolade at the 2020 gsport awards.
The quick-footed Ndawonde was ecstatic after winning the Style Star award and said the event had given women a platform to earn recognition.
The award recognises vibrant SA women in sport who exhibit a sense of style and elegance‚ and inspire others. The 30-yearold Ndawonde beat swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker and sports journalist Mbali Sigidi.
“Winning this award means a lot to me. I feel blessed and overwhelmed‚” she said.
“Obviously to be nominated for this award‚ means that there are people who actually notice what you do‚ not only as an athlete but also aside from being an athlete.”
Ndawonde‚ also had advice for young sportswomen in SA‚ saying her accolade was motivation to do more work off the field and encourage young women to work smart to reach greater heights.
“I always try to make sure that I reach out to those young girls who come from disadvantaged backgrounds‚ to actually say ‘have a look at where I am‚ because I was once also in your situation’.
“Many of those in that situation see us where we are now‚ and think everything was easy and then decide it is impossible‚” she said.
Off the field‚ the former Parkhill Senior Secondary pupil works as a firefighter at the King Shaka International Airport in Durban.
“So I always try to motivate and inspire them by posting videos on social media [Facebook and Twitter] and make sure that they look at what I do‚ see where I’ve come from‚ where I am going and what I am achieving.
“Young girls who lives in that situation think that they can never make it in life. My message to them is that they should never let their circumstances at home determine who they want to be in the future.”
“Just like me‚ they should take that situation and let it strengthen them‚ and make them become better women and athletes‚” she said.
I always try to make sure that I reach out to those young girls who come from disadvantaged backgrounds‚ to actually say ‘have a look at where I am‚ because I was once also in your situation