Dynamites come in small packages.

Senamile Evidence Zulu best known in the field as 'Short gun', born in Stanger - KwaZulu-Natal and raised in Nseleni township where she matriculated at Sakhisizwe High School. She is a student at Tshwane University of Technology, currently doing her second year Diploma in Ecotourism and a football player for TUT FC Ladies team. Zulu was introduced to football by Mr Sboniso (SGA) Mkize when he established a team called SGA Citizens FC. She said, "we had our first season in 2009 in the Absa Women’s league . I played four seasons in SGA Citizen . In 2013, I met Coach Mbuyiselo Mbhele who was coaching Darnall Athletic FC which played in the Sasol league & I played for the team. In 2017, I was given an opportunity to lead the team as captain, I played six seasons with Darnall Athletic - not forgetting that I have been part of the Ilembe district under 20 squad where I participated in SALGA Games for 3 years.” Senamile tells us about her journey in joining TUT FC, “In 2019 February, I went to trial for the university's B team & I got lucky to join the team. In March, I was granted an opportunity to train with the high performance team, so I trained with the team for the whole season but playing in the B team. Training with the high performance but not playing with them in their games has encouraged me to work hard, taught me that in football in order to achieve bigger things or to be the best player you have to be patient, disciplined, dedicated and humble all the time." Clearly Senamile has been very focused and working tirelessly to improve herself as a player and the hardwork she's been putting on the field paid off as in 2019 she was selected to form part of the squad that was representing the University in the Varsity Football Tournament. Short gun shares how being chosen to form part of the squad made her feel, “it came as a shocker to be honest, I mean I remember telling my dad that someday I will form part of the TUT ladies squad to lift the trophy, so being selected was one step closer to the goal I had for myself. It was the best feeling ever, but even more I was excited about the chance that I got to show and share my talent as well” and indeed she got to raise the trophy together with her team. She said training with the high performance team taught her so much, her skills football have improved, “I used to lack self-confidence, I was sometimes even afraid to call for a ball in the field, but my teammates guided me in every step of the way. They have also helped me in doing extra sessions, encouraged me to always do better in our training matches that we play against each other as a team" she said. Like any other person joining a new team that requires a huge shift and adaptation, she explains, "training with the high performance team was challenging at first because it is made up of what I consider quality players, players who have experience in football more than what I come with. I was honestly scared when I had my first training session with the team because I had to adjust to how they train, the starting time of training and the playing system that they use. I had to push myself so that I can be on their level of fitness.” Her hopes for TUT in the next Varsity Football Tournaments is that the team can get more women who know and are interested in football so that TUT can continue being dominant in the tournament and never break their winning streak. When asked who/what helps her to keep calm when the pressure is rising in the field her response was: “my teammates always tell me ‘UNGABAYEKI NTWANA’ which means, do what you good at and that helps pump my confidence to do what I love and what is best for the team. Mostly, the person who always tells me to never give up in the field is Lerato Williams because she always tells me that ‘no one will be soft with you Ntwana, you have to be strong' and that has really kept me going.” In closing, her note to self is: “patience is the key to success, no matter how long it will take you to be successful, never stop trying. You have to remember these three things - respect, discipline and stay humble and always know that God's timing is always perfect.” #STOP GENDER BASED VIOLENCE. STOP KILLING OUR SISTERS🙏🙏 IG: @nomvulak_words FB: Nomvula Kgoale Twitter: Nomvula Kgoale