Magau's rugby star, Tshiremba, prepares for Paris Olympics

Date: 17 May 2024 By: Kaizer Nengovhela

The Vhembe region has produced yet another sports star who has her eyes set on competing in the Olympic Games in France later this year. Maria Tshiremba, who hails from Magau, was selected as part of the SA Women Sevens side that will travel to France in July.

The 28-year-old Tshiremba has been a part of the national squad since December last year, when she made her debut in Monastir, Tunisia. The speedster scored a vital try in the final of the tournament to secure victory over Kenya and help South Africa qualify for the Olympic Games.

Tshiremba only started playing rugby in 2021 while studying at the University of Johannesburg. She showed that she had a special talent, and she was selected for the Lions team in 2022. She currently plays for the Bulls.

Tshiremba said that she had participated in different sports at school before choosing rugby. She was encouraged by her parents to do athletics while at school. “My parents used to watch athletics and supported it a lot. While they were watching, I had a dream of seeing myself wearing the South African colours, holding the flag. So, I went to try all the sports and worked hard and said whatever the sport was, I wanted to honour my country one day,” she said.

According to her, her parents always reminded her that nothing of value in life comes easy and that working hard was the only way to achieve success. She used this as her motto and always strives to work hard.

She believes that education is the key to unlocking a brighter future, but she is grateful for the many doors that rugby has opened for her. After completing her matric, she went to university and this is where she was exposed to top-class rugby. She is quick to debunk the notion that rugby is a sport for men. “There is no sport that was designed for certain genders. As women, we are restricted a lot and undermined in this game, which gives us more reason to prove people wrong,” she added.

“Even if your talent is not in sport, engaging in sport and travelling will expose you to the outside world,” she said.

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Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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