Kwa-Thema-born netball player Michaela Thethe (15) is taking another big step towards her sporting dreams after earning a place in the SA Action Netball U16 squad. This milestone brings her closer to representing her country on the international stage.

For Thethe, the selection is the result of years of dedication to a sport she fell in love with at six.

From early morning training sessions and long days on the court to overcoming disappointments, her journey has been shaped by hard work, determination and the unwavering support of her family.

The athlete described the selection as one of the proudest moments of her sporting journey, saying she was initially beginning to lose hope while waiting for the trial results during the Interprovincial Tournaments (IPTs).

“I was one of the last people to leave the arena, so I honestly was not expecting it anymore. My heart was a little down, but when I found out, everyone was cheering, and I was just so happy. It was such an amazing feeling,” she said.

She explained that for her, the achievement is more than an opportunity to wear the national colours. It is recognition of years of dedication to a sport that has been part of her life since she was six or seven years old.

Netball was her first sporting love, having started playing in Grade R. She later explored other sporting codes, including hockey, but her passion for netball continued to grow.

Now a learner at Reddam House Waterfall, she has earned a place in the school’s first teams after joining the school this year, an opportunity she says she never expected.

Her sporting journey has also seen her develop different skills and positions on the court. Having been part of UJ Netball Club since Grade 6, she previously received recognition as Best Defender and Best Mid-court.

However, her latest achievement as Best Shooter holds a particularly special place in her heart. Because of her height, people often expected her to play defence or centre, but Thethe always saw herself as a shooter.

“Winning Best Shooter this year is really special because shooting has always been what I love. So, finally being recognised for something that’s always been close to my heart means so much to me,” she said.

Her selection into the SA Action Netball U16 Squad will also introduce her to a different style of the game, with six-a-side indoor netball replacing the traditional seven-a-side format she is used to.

She is particularly looking forward to wearing the green and gold and learning from other players as she prepares for the next chapter of her sporting career. Among her biggest ambitions is travelling to Australia with the squad in 2027.

Behind the achievements, Thethe has found a way to understand that sporting success requires sacrifices, particularly when balancing training, matches and schoolwork.

She shared that managing her schedule is still a work in progress, but she understands that becoming a better athlete requires discipline both on and off the court.

“I am learning that being a good athlete also means being disciplined off the court,” she said.

She believes that one of her greatest strengths is her willingness to keep showing up, even when the hard work goes unnoticed.

She credited her teammates and defenders for creating a supportive environment that allowed her to learn without feeling discouraged when things did not go according to plan.

Away from the court, her family has played an important role in shaping her sporting journey, with Kwa-Thema remaining close to her heart because of the family and friends she has there and the time she spent growing up at her grandparents’ home.

Her grandfather, Prince Bonisile Thethe, is well known for his contribution to cricket in Kwa-Thema.

At 89, he can no longer attend as many of her matches as he once did, but his presence and encouragement throughout her journey remain special to her.

The teen expressed that her mother, Nomonde, was her biggest supporter and inspiration.

From waking her up for early morning sessions to driving her to training and tournaments and cheering from the sidelines, her mother has been a constant presence.

A talented netball player herself, who played until university, she introduced Thethe to the sport and helped nurture her love for the game without ever forcing it on her.

“I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am right now without her. She has done every possible thing under the sun a mother can do to make sure their child is the best at what they do. I love and appreciate her, and I will never not,” she said.

Thethe also draws inspiration from international tennis star Serena Williams, as well as netball players Tarle Mathe, Elmeré van der Berg and Georgie Horjus, whose determination, accuracy and confidence motivate her to keep improving.

Despite her growing list of achievements, she has not lost sight of the community that forms part of her story.

She hopes her journey will encourage younger children in Kwa-Thema and surrounding areas to believe in their abilities and remain committed to their dreams, regardless of the challenges they face.

“I hope I can inspire younger kids to keep believing in themselves, even when things get difficult. I want them to know that where they come from doesn’t have to limit where they can go,” she said.

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue developing as an athlete while pursuing her academic ambitions.

Her long-term dreams include studying overseas, preferably in Australia, and playing in the Suncorp Super Netball League for teams such as the Adelaide Thunderbirds, West Coast Fever or Melbourne Vixens. She also hopes to one day compete in England’s Netball Super League.