Phumelela Mbande balances the demands of her successful hockey career with a fledgling career in auditing.
After the first three months of her articles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, she knew auditing was for her. Even though it has tough periods and tight deadlines, it offers Mbande the flexibility to be able to pursue her other dream: hockey.
She is currently the co-captain and goalkeeper of South Africa’s women’s hockey team. They competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she was also South Africa’s flag-bearer. Her week comprises six days of strength and conditioning training, as well as four days of hockey training and matches.
Transformation in South African hockey is one of Mbande’s great passions. “I come from very humble beginnings, and hockey funded a big part of my tuition through bursaries. I feel it necessary to continue to advocate that other players should be given such life-changing opportunities,” she says.
“In an attempt to create awareness and drive change, I’ve seen my role in the sport as one that goes beyond the four white lines on the hockey field, and have felt the responsibility to be a voice for those who don’t have the privilege of the platform I find myself on.”