Phumza Maweni aspires to compete at the highest level with the Baby Proteas

With 121 international appearances for her country, Maweni has plenty of experience that she can use to motivate the team and assist head coach Precious Mthembu at the regional Africa netball World Cup qualifiers, hosted at the University of Pretoria.  

READ: Kwanele Kopo's long wait for a PSL head coach seat finally paying off

Despite starting her Proteas journey at 29, Maweni remains committed to learning and growing, as evident in her involvement in the tournament.

“I didn't expect for this to happen earlier, I take it as a privilege and grab it with both hands. Ours is to take the team to the next level,'' said Maweni.

Two years ago, Maweni embarked on her coaching journey, initially working with juniors in her local village Cala in the Western Cape Province.

It was during this time that her passion for coaching began to flourish, eventually leading her to the position of coach for the Baby Proteas, a role she has found deeply rewarding.

''Two years of building as a coach, started with my foundation - I used to work with juniors.

“I was pleased to work with the juniors but it wasn't full time because I was playing,'' added Maweni.

Maweni firmly states that she chose to step away from the game to pave the path for the younger players, following her participation in three World Cups and Commonwealth Games, with an impressive tally of 121 games.

 This places her second in terms of international caps, just behind Bongiwe Msomi’s 171 games.

''It was the hardest one for me, but it was a good decision to open up for youngsters,'' said Maweni.

At 39 years old, Maweni finds it challenging to pinpoint the most standout moments from her illustrious career.

Nevertheless, one achievement stands out prominently; in 2015, she made history as the first black player to secure a professional contract in England’s Netball Super League, representing Loughborough and Severn Stars.

Maweni also showcased her talent by playing for Sunshine Coast in Australia, further solidifying her sports legacy.

Maweni and Precious Mthembu, long-time friends on the Proteas team, have forged a strong bond over the years, with Maweni considering Mthembu her closest friend. 

They find themselves entrusted with helping the Baby Proteas secure qualification for the upcoming World Youth Championships.

''We are best friends and we also try to speak in one voice, and I am happy to learn from her,'' she concluded.