The nomination came as a shock to me - Nondumiso Shangase

Shangase is nominated in the Women's Provincial Player of the Year category alongside Tazmin Brits and Caroline Rhodes from Six Gun Grill Garden Route Bargers.

Speaking on Ukhozi FM with Nolwazi Machi on Saturday evening, Shangase says she’s delighted by the recognition. 

"I am so excited, it came as a shock to me, to be amongst the top three. There are so many players in the country, more than 12 000, it means a lot for someone from Inanda," Shangase told Ukhozi FM. 

Inanda is a township in Durban. Shangase says cricket saved her life and hails her grandmother for encouraging her to work hard in training.

"We have a bad reputation as Inanda, one has to fight against the temptation to achieve something. Cricket saved me from a lot of things, that we face as young people. I fell in love with the sport through my older brother, I used to go with him, alongside my four friends. The other day, his coach asked if we would like to join, and from there, I never looked back. Even though my other friends decided to quit,” she explained.

"I must also give credit to my granny for her support. She would push me during tough times, and force me to go to training. Sometimes we would try to make up stories, to avoid going to training but still, she insisted on pushing me to keep on training until I joined Dolphins, now I'm getting a salary because of her support."

The 19-year-old is currently in the CSA Academy and hopes to receive a call up to the national team.

"Now I'm at the academy, my focus is to get national team call-up and grow in the sport."