Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Zenani is ready to take off and soar
A YOUNG Khayelitsha woman is “tricking” her way to the top, and she’s doing it with the help of a BMX bicycle.
Anita Zenani recently returned from the South African BMX Championship in Durban with a bronze medal, and now she has her sights set on greater achievements.
“I hope to go to the world champs in 2020. I am practising four hours each day, so I hope it all works out,” she said.
Zenani’s interest in BMX-ing was sparked when she saw young men on the track opposite her house in Khayelitsha. She was not able to make it to the World Champs in 2017 because she was completing her matric exams, but now it’s all systems go for the main event of her career next year.
She admitted that she could not ride a bicycle before and endured many falls before she finally mastered her art. She was encouraged by her coach to get back into the saddle after every fall and as the saying goes, “the rest is history”.
The second-year Sports Psychology student at UWC said while it is an expensive sport, her team was given a boost when they received bicycles from MTN. She is also the only woman on her team but is proud to be making her way through the ranks in what she calls a largely “male-dominated” sport.
“Even when I compete, I have to do it outside the province because there are no female competitors in the Western Cape. I entered many small competitions, and that’s how I managed to qualify for the nationals,” said Zenani.
She said in her group at the competition in Durban, there were only 10 females who participated, and their ages ranged from 14 to 26 years.
The 21-year-old told Weekend Argus that her family and friends were ecstatic with her achievements.
“They have always supported me. They know that this is my dream, and my friends always understand when I need to practise or focus on my studies if I am not able to socialise with them,” she said.
As for balancing her life with her bike and books, Zenani said it’s all about managing her time.
“I don’t compromise on my books, and I don’t compromise on my sport.”
She admitted she still gets the occasional frown when she tells people what she does because not many women are into the sport.
“People are usually shocked, but I tell them it’s not just for boys,” said Zenani.