If Esihle Zondo’s name should crop up in a conversation about sports, there is a real chance that someone won’t know in which sport she is representing South Africa.
A logical guess is that she is an athlete or participates in ball sports. But it is incorrect. The Tuks student plays water polo. In July, the 19-year-old will represent South Africa at a World Champs for a third time in Japan.
According to Zondo, when she started playing, few good players of colour were any good at playing water polo. It served as extra motivation to her.
“I believe the narrative that black people can’t swim is slowly being broken down, but it is still programmed in people’s minds. I know this because I still see the element of surprise when they see me swimming at a public pool or playing water polo.”
Without her knowing, the legendary Serena Williams inspired the Tuks student to be a trailblazer.
“Serena was a pioneer, a go-getter, a black woman paving her way in a predominantly white sport. She was and is a representation of little black girls to believe that being great and doing what you love has no limitations. Her achievements, her life story, and honestly, Serena as a whole made me think that I am the right amount of crazy to believe that I can go after what I want to and do it in as much style as I see fit. That I can also help change the narrative around black people and water sports. It might be slightly delusional of me, but it keeps me going.
“I will also be forever grateful to my mom. She is fantastic, being so strong. Her life story also inspires me to always do better and be better. And then there are my first two coaches, the Olympian Mandy Loots and Wilma van Niekerk. They gave me confidence and made me believe my goals are achievable.”
It could be said that Zondo grew up as a “water baby”. Her mom took her to her first swimming lesson when she was only six months old.
“I started playing water polo when in Grade Four. I love the physicality, strength, skill and quick thinking required to be competitive as a player. My best quality as a player would probably be my strength. I can play all positions and usually switch around a lot during a game, but as of last year, I got placed as a centre-forward/wing player.”
The Tuks player made her international debut at the age of 15, but it was after the Covid Pandemic that her career really took off. When she was 17, she was selected to attend the Junior World Champs. A year later, she was in action at the Senior World Champs. She represented South Africa at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Berlin in May. Next up is the World Champs in July.