Retired Spar Proteas stalwart Bongiwe Msomi may have had the opportunity to sign lucrative contracts with some of the top netball clubs in the world, but the former skipper says nothing beats representing her country.
Msomi, who retired in 2023 after leading the team for eight years, shared this insight during her appearance on the Netball South Africa Podcast.
Her glittering career includes playing in England’s Netball Super League for the Surrey Storm and Wasps and also in Australia’s Super Netball League for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
But for the 37-year-old Msomi, from Durban’s Hammersdale township in KwaZulu-Natal, it all began at the age of 16 when she was a pupil at Chief Luthayi High School.
Years later, she was selected to represent the national Under-21 team, eventually joining the senior squad in 2011.
“This just proves that it doesn’t matter where you come from, what is meant for you will always find its way to you. It was all God’s plan and that proves that God does not sleep,” she reflected.
She said her journey to the senior national team was by chance. In 2011, she attended trials as a fill-in player and was selected to be part of the 12 players preparing for the World Cup.
“When I got to camp, I was terrified. I didn’t talk to anyone and kept my distance from the senior players. I barely even took pictures,” she recalled.
The moment they announced the squad, Msomi was in awe. “Every year, they announce the squad, but it never felt as overwhelming as it did in 2011, not until 2023. Even then, when my name was called, I got goosebumps. I screamed. I’ve never taken it for granted. Representing my country was always bigger than getting a contract.”
Msomi was appointed Spar Proteas captain in 2016, a role she initially questioned. “At first, I didn’t understand why I was chosen. There were so many senior players in the team who could’ve been picked,” she admitted.
But with time, she embraced the responsibility, and her leadership led the team to many victories.
Her career spanned 171 caps and four World Cups, and her love for netball never wavered.
“Before the 2023 World Cup, I thought I was ready to retire. I had everything planned out, but once I got into the competition, I knew I had more to give,” she said.
Msomi’s success didn’t come easy—nothing was handed to her. She worked tirelessly to earn everything. “Focus on your goals, ignore the challenges, and put in the work. Someone will always be watching,” she advised.
In 2019, she was offered a contract to continue playing club netball in England but the former centre turned it down as she was already plotting for life beyond the court and wanting to be in the thick of things for the 2023 Netball World Cup on South African home soil.
In that year, Msomi took on a fresh challenge by accepting a job as a netball team manager and coach at the University of Johannesburg where she has groomed some of the national players such as Owethu Ngubane.
“Keep your eyes on your goals,” Msomi concluded. “If you put in the work, your dedication will always pay off.”
