Love for the Hang Time | Feature Articles

Love for the Hang Time

Written by Lunga Ntuli

Monday, 25 January 2010 18:21

While other people’s lives are a warning, for Silindile Shange her life is an example. The 19-year old girl from the dusty streets of eMkhambathini in KwaZulu-Natal recently saw her dream coming to reality, when she was selected for the Senior National Basketball squad.

The humble young lady caught the eyes of the selectors when she was representing KZN in the Basketball South Africa Senior Championships that took over at the Durban University of Technology in December.

Shange felt in love with basketball in 2005 when she joined the Peace Players international and since then she hasn’t looked back. Her relationship with the sport started blooming fruits in 2008, when she was doing her metric at Dinabakuwo Combined School.

As many people called that year two thousand and great indeed it was, for Shange as she made her first ever debut for KZN Under-18 team, and then for KZN Senior women’s team!

“I never taught that basketball will take me places. When I started playing I was just having fun, and now I have realized that there is something about me and this sport. I honestly did not expect to make the National team so soon,” said Shange.

Not only did she make the National side during the tournament that included all the provinces of South Africa except Gauteng, but she was also chosen as an All Star Player from her team.

“It the hard work, commitment and sacrifices that one makes which has helped me achieve all this,” she said. “Sport does not only helps people stay healthy and spend their time traveling and meeting different cultures, but it also educates.”

Shange’s gift and passion for basketball has opened up doors for her, as she will be enrolling at Vaal University of Technology for a Diploma in Sports Management this year.