By: Lungisa Somtombo
Grade eight Toise Senior Secondary School pupil Lisakhanya Pamala is going to Pretoria, Gauteng to represent the East Cape after he was selected in trials for the Rugby Summer Games in East London.
Pamala from Bhele Location in Bisho said he started playing rugby in Bhele Primary School and continued playing when he got to secondary school. He added that his inspiration to play rugby came from his uncle who played and loved the sport.
“I want to be like Makazole Mapimpi and Siya Kolisi, however, my biggest dream is to change my home for the better and make my mother proud,” he said.
His mother Zanele Pamala said his son would want money to go play rugby in Zwelitsha and in East London sometimes. She expressed that she could not afford to fund those trips but she tried with the small money she makes out of selling fat cakes.
“I would ask him why doesn’t he stop playing rugby because he can see that I am struggling as my business is slow most times. My neighbour advised me to be patient with him as this could take him to places.”
She added that she would borrow money from neighbours and pay it back when she receives social grant money.
Further, his mother said, one day he came with a letter that said he has been selected to go to Pretoria on the eighth of December.
“He pleaded with me to try and make means for this trip because he loves rugby and he wants to play for the Springboks and be like Siya Kolisi.”
“I am pleading with people to help us with whatever they have because he does not have t-shirts, rugby boots, takkies, and food to eat on his way to Pretoria,” she said.
Toise Secondary School Rugby Coach Thandile Mzukwa said Pamala was chosen together with two other boys one from Bisho High school and the other from Toise Secondary School to represent the Eastern Cape in Pretoria.
Mzukwa said Pamala is a dedicated player and loves rugby. He is also committed to his school work as he is performing well in his studies.
Eastern Cape Department of Sport Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Spokesperson Andile Nduna said they have heard the news of sporting excellence of Lisakhanya Pamala and as the department, they have been receiving calls and demands for funding and assistance for the talented youths of the province when they receive a national or international call.
He added that in most cases they have found themselves unable to meet all the requests due to budget constraints.
“We call upon the Pamala family to write to the Department with details of what they want the Department to assist with,” said Nduna.