Nonkululeko Mlaba Reflects on World Cup Disappointment and Future Aspirations

Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, 24, who secured 12 wickets with an average of merely 11.33 during the Women’s T20 World Cup, expressed that the sting of defeat would require time to subside. This sentiment follows South Africa’s journey to the Women’s T20 World Cup final in October, where batter Chloe Tryon stated their ambition was to “unite the country”. This objective appeared significant for a cricket team representing a nation of nearly 60 million inhabitants, yet it underscored how sport, while transformative globally, holds the power to unite an entire nation in the Rainbow Nation. Rugby has accomplished this feat four times, notably in 1995 when captain Francois Pienaar raised the trophy with Nelson Mandela in an iconic sporting moment, and again in 2019 with Siya Kolisi’s victory as the country’s first black captain. Cricket, however, has not yet achieved such a historical milestone, frequently resulting in disappointment, as seen last month when the Proteas women’s team suffered their second consecutive T20 final loss, following the men’s team’s defeat by India earlier in the year. Mlaba reflected on the recent loss, stating, “We’re still trying to find our feet, because we just don’t really know what we did wrong.” She added, “I felt like we had the World Cup but I don’t know what happened to us on the day. But, we are going to come back and hopefully bring the trophy home soon.” Mlaba’s individual contributions throughout the tournament were outstanding; her 12 wickets were surpassed solely by New Zealander Melie Kerr, who took 15. Her notable displays, including figures of 4-29 against West Indies during the group stages, propelled South Africa to the final held in Dubai, following an impressive victory against the defending champions Australia in the semi-finals. Nevertheless, in the championship match against New Zealand, they were defeated, falling short by 32 runs after an unsuccessful pursuit of the target score. South Africa had little opportunity to linger on their defeat, as their multi-format series against England commenced just weeks afterward. This upcoming series offers Mlaba a chance to secure her fourth Test cap in Bloemfontein on Sunday. Despite now being a key member of South Africa’s bowling unit, Mlaba’s path to this position has presented challenges. The left-arm spinner spent her formative years in a township within the KwaZulu-Natal province, where she initially preferred traditional Zulu dance. She notes that cricket was perceived “only as a sport for white people.” Even as South Africa still faces economic difficulties and the sport largely thrives in private educational institutions, Mlaba, recently honored as KwaZulu-Natal sportswoman of the year, chooses not to be limited by her origins. Instead, she emphasizes her appreciation for the assistance she has received and her desire to encourage other young women to pursue similar aspirations. When questioned about increasing black women’s participation in cricket, Mlaba stated, “It is simple, it comes from support and nothing beats support, motivation and belief.” She further elaborated, “Cricket is not as big in our country as rugby or football. In my township, I see a lot of talented boys but some don’t become successful because of the mentality that it’s because they are from the township.” Her advice is, “I would say don’t look at where you’re coming from, it’s not about that. If you’re putting in the work, working harder, and working towards your goal, you will always succeed.” Significant assistance came from Cricket South Africa, which provided Mlaba with accommodation when proximity to training facilities was necessary due to the lengthy and potentially hazardous commutes she faced. Mlaba has undoubtedly justified the confidence placed in her, having participated in 60 T20s and 26 one-day internationals for the Proteas to date, and she aspires to continue playing cricket for as long as possible. She represents a broader purpose associated with playing for South Africa, a desire to compete for something beyond herself and her team. Mlaba accomplishes this by remaining genuinely herself – evident in her distinctive short blonde hair, the celebratory dances after each wicket, and a joyful smile that seldom fades from her expression while representing her nation. Her social media profiles showcase an interest in fashion and her puppy, alongside a profound appreciation for the sport, her homeland, and those who supported her ascent. Further opportunities lie ahead; while the Test match against England concludes a demanding 2024, Mlaba and South Africa still pursue their aspirations with a 50-over World Cup scheduled for next year and the T20 edition in 2026.