Basadi in Action Sports

Free State Crinums captain, Karla Pretorius is one of the most revered defenders in netball. Her ability to think quickly on her feet is always a difference in the defensive circle of her team.  Karla Pretorius  © However, her journey started from the bottom at little league netball where she fell in love with the game, alongside her sister, Tanya von Berg (née Mostert). They played the sport together until university where they both played for the University of the Free State. Netball took her around the world representing South Africa with the Spar Proteas as well as professional clubs in the United Kingdom and Australia.  Pretorius believes she has accomplished all she sought to. “Right now, I see my netball career as complete in the best way.  I’ve achieved what I set out to, and that gives me a real sense of freedom. I step onto court with pride, contentment, and gratitude. There’s nothing to lose, only an opportunity to give everything I have, every single time...

When KwaZulu-Natal Kingdom Stars defender Thulisile Maduna picked up a ball for the first time, she didn’t realise how far netball could take her. Thanks to her coaches in high school, they were able to show her the potential she possessed. Maduna is part of the squad that is competing in the 2026 edition of the Telkom Netball League which kicked off on 24 April at the Durban University of Technology, Durban.  © The Telkom Netball League will run until 15 June and will be hosted between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. “I started playing netball when I was still in primary school but I didn’t take it as seriously because I was still young. When I got to high school, that is when I changed how I looked at the sport and decided to be a bit more serious about it,”says Maduna.  Throughout her career, Maduna has competed in the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Games, the KwaZulu-Natal Super League, and the Spar National Championships, among others for teams like the Pum...

Behind the GK/GD bib is a whole person — shaped by community, family, loss, joy, and an unshakable belief that circumstances do not define destiny.  Nozipho Ntshangase For Nozipho Ntshangase, wearing the green and gold of South Africa is more than a sporting honour — it is a promise fulfilled to a younger version of herself. A promise made in the quiet moments of a difficult childhood, in a small township called eNseleni near Richards Bay, where hope often had to be self-created. Growing up with both her parents and siblings, home was not always a place of comfort for Nozipho. It was heavy, challenging, and at times overwhelming. School and the netball court became her safe spaces — the only places where she felt free. “I was only happy when I was at school or in netball training because a lot was going on,” she reflects. “But I made a promise to myself as a young girl that one day I would be the one to change the situation at home and in the entire community.”  Owethu Ngubane...

Known to fans as a sharp and dependable shooter for the SPAR Proteas and the Gauteng Golden Fireballs, Ngubane’s journey is shaped just as much by her life off the court as her performances on it. Born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal, her experiences have been anything but easy. Growing up in a household of four siblings under the care of a single mother, stability was something she did not always know.  Owethu Ngubane “I have three siblings, and growing up was really tough,” she reflects. “Not having a father figure in the house was challenging, but my mom was always there for us.” The family moved around frequently during her early years, searching for a place they could finally call home. When that stability eventually came, so too did the discovery of something that would change her life forever.  SPAR Proteas Test Squad “Once we finally found a stable home, I began pursuing netball,” Ngubane says. “It became my escape and a way to cope with what was happening at home.” Netbal...

Born and raised in Lamontville, Durban, Tarle Mathe has gone from a young netball dreamer in KwaZulu-Natal to one of the standout stars of the 2025 Telkom Netball League. Fresh off an undefeated championship run with the Gauteng Golden Fireballs, we caught up with the former Kingdom Stars and Kingdom Queens player to reflect on a season she proudly describes as historical.  Golden Fireballs Results Tarle Mathe  © Backpagepix “My 2025 netball season has been one for the books. Nothing stands out more than a podium finish and a gold medal. Winning the USSA for [University of Johannesburg] UJ — a first in history — and then going into the TNL and finishing unbeaten, that’s historical for me.” But Mathe's success hasn’t come without obstacles.  TNL Log Standings “I suffered a concussion during the [University Sports South Africa] USSA tournament. That was my toughest challenge this year. Not being able to train properly and still having to give my all in competition really te...

As South Africa commemorates Youth Day today, the Telkom Netball League (TNL) stands tall as a testament to Telkom’s unwavering commitment to empowering young women through sport. Telkom Netball League  © Backpagepix Beyond being a premier semi-professional competition, the TNL serves as a vital springboard for rising netball talent across the nation. Rehana Noah of the Western Cape Tornados emphasised the importance of the platform Telkom has created for young players, noting that it allows them to be recognised beyond local borders and opens doors to international opportunities Telkom’s development pipeline begins with the Telkom Netball Championship (TNC), a national tournament for Under‑19/U18/U17 players, a prominent youth netball competition of spotting and developing the sport's future stars nationwide. Phophi Nematangari, current captain of the South African U21 team and a proud product of TNC shared, "Youth Day reminds me that I am empowered to represent my country, p...

The Telkom Netball League (TNL) returns with Power Week 2 kicking off today at Sun City, and one of the teams looking to make a powerful statement is the Jaguars. After an up-and-down showing in Power Week 1 that saw them finish fourth on the table with three wins and three losses, the team is eager to bounce back—and according to star defender Jamie van Wyk, they are more determined than ever. Jamie Van Wyk  ©  Backpagepix Van Wyk, who received individual recognition for her standout performances in the opening week, remains humble about her accolades. “I am overjoyed with the prizes I received. It always feels good to get some type of reward for the hard work that gets put in,” she said. “Although I received the prizes, it was definitely a team effort.” Reflecting on the Jaguars' performance in the first leg, Van Wyk acknowledged a slow start but was quick to highlight the team’s growth as the week progressed. “We started a bit rocky in the beginning trying to find our ...

All eyes in South African netball turn to Sun Park where Power Week 2 of the Telkom Netball League is set to take place from 13–17 June. The Golden Fireballs, who stormed through Power Week 1 undefeated with six straight wins and a perfect 12 points, return as frontrunners. One of their standout players, Boitumelo Mahloko, who also represents the SPAR Proteas, is determined to keep the momentum burning bright.  Boitumelo Mahloko © backpagepix A League That Builds More Than Skill When asked how her time in the Telkom Netball League has shaped her as both a player and a person, Mahloko didn’t hesitate to express its impact. “The Telkom netball league shaped my growth immensely. To be in such a space with so many talented players makes you really look at always improving your game which ultimately grows me as an individual,” she said. “The game has taught me how to fit in with a team and to think for someone other than yourself and I think that’s a big character to have as a person.” ...