If a football field was a castle, she would be the reigning Queen.

Captain of Tshwane University of Technology Ladies Football Team - Hildah Tholakele Magaia - hailing from Dennilton Mpheleng. She holds a National Diploma in Officiating and Coaching from TUT and currently enrolled for an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration.

She was introduced to football by her father who was a football player in his youthful days, so she joins a generation of football players which also include her uncle and brother. Magaia played for a small team in her village called Brains FC in 2010/11, then she went on to play for Brazilian Ladies from Limpopo Mosterlus for a very short period as the owner passed on (May his soul continue resting in peace) soon after the establishment of the FC. This incident forced her to start all over again and play with boys from her village until she met Tsietsi Selatole from the same village she's from. "Tsietsi took me to Pretoria in 2013 where I played for Tuks Mamelodi Absa team. After a period of one year, I got promoted to Tuks Hatfield which is the senior team playing in the Sasol League, then in 2017 I joined the People's University (TUT)" she said.

Hildah explains how she got to play for the People's University: "in 2016 I was called to play for TUT in a tournament at Alexander, I must say that I had a great time with the team and the players were so friendly. I even felt like I have been playing for the team for a long time, but little did I know that I was actually becoming part of the team. In 2017, I didn't look back and decided to join the team (TUT). In 2018, we went to the Sasol League National playoffs and won the tournament, then there came the part whereby the coach introduced a new captain for 2019. He called my name and I thought he was joking, as he we all know him as a person full of jokes, only to find out that he wasn't. At the back of my mind, I'm thinking how on earth am I going to be the captain of our team as I'm not a loquacious person. Then for a moment, I was shaking and didn't know what to say. When Jabulile Mazibuko (2017/18 Captain) handed me the arm-belt, it sank in, a bit of nerves kicked in as well as if I was going to play a game and it's the finals. I was wondering if I would really be able to carry the team because I was trusted with such a responsibility because being the team captain isn't a child's play. However, it teaches one a lot of important things such as having to give the audience what they want and you have to make sure that you deliver for the team and the management at large."

Magaia went on to say: “however, I'm very grateful for the opportunity I was given to lead the team as today I can say I've grown as an individual all because of the pressure I got from being a team captain. I got pushed to the corner, but I never broke down and I stood and carried myself and my team and that is such an awesome experience.”

Playing for TUT came with so much pressure considering that they have been winning the Varsity Football Tournament for more than five years in a row and as the captain, she and her team had to keep the same standard and win the trophy for the University. In 2019, TUT Ladies FC got to the finals of the Varsity Football Tournament against - a familiar side - University of the Western Cape, but this time it wasn't an easy win because as the 90th minute hit without a goal from any of the teams, it took the game to penalties. That very moment was the make or break as fans witnessed a historical moment in the Varsity Football Tournament. Hildah took the lead in a position that no one had imagined her in, she took the responsibility of being a goalkeeper for the penalties and this had fans on the edges of their seats. When asked what was going in her head at the moment her response was, “our goalkeeper was injured and couldn't carry on with the penalties so, as the captain, I had to make the tough decision and take one for the team. I made a promise to her that I will lead the team to victory and I remember that moment vividly - she kept on asking me if I can do it and I asked her if she trusts me then she agreed and, confidently, so I went to the poles. I must admit that I didn't know the techniques and tactics of being a goalkeeper, but I was up for it. At this time, the video of me stopping atleast one penalty kept on playing in my mind, and the funny part is that the referee explained to us (me and the opposition goalkeeper) on what is required of us to do in the goals, but I went and asked the opposition goalkeeper again and again on what to do. I didn't want to disappoint my team because they had so much faith in me, so I went on and did it even after I've conceded 2 goals. I carried one and we eventually became victorious."

Magaia had several National call ups and had the opportunity to play against international opponents, she shares her experience of playing many countries which play with different football techniques: "I must say it hasn't been easy playing for the National Team, simply because you have to get there and show them why they chose you for the call ups and if really deserve a place to represent the country. You have to show your capabilities during training sessions as if you're playing an observed game. I don't think my first National call up would have been easy in terms of adaptation and moral support if it wasn't for my then team mates from TUT whom I was called to trials. Those teammates included Refiloe Jane, who happens to be my role model, and Busisiwe Ndimeni as they were there with me every step of the way. You get to be strong mentally, physically and emotionally each day when you are at the Banyana Banyana camps, the intensity is high everyday, everyone is raising their hands to be seen. As for playing with different teams and countries, it is always memorable and there are more challenges we encounter more than playing when locally as you get to experience new styles of football."

Hildah's biggest wish for women in sports is for women to be treated with dignity and more professionally. "I wish we can be treated with the respect that we deserve in all the sporting codes and equal as men especially in football because for me I see no difference, I mean we all kick the ball with the same aim. I wish more women can be more involved in sports and support each other because if we don't support each other how do we expect men to support us? For our people fill those stadiums and courts every time we have a game, but even more I wish there could be more women taking charge in the sports sectors."

Her advice to anyone looking up to her is: “nothing great comes easy and nobody ever said it's going to be easy. Hard work, determination and the love for what you do can take you far, but disclipline can take you further. Another thing is, don't forget your books, that's the most important aspect of your life that you need to treasure after God, so be educated and play sports at the same time. Make God the center of your life always, He sees, hears and knows your hearts desires, so if you can put him first you are going to go far in life. The biggest mistake we make sometimes is that we take part in some of the sports because our friends also take part in them and we end up failing, so with that I want to tell you to follow your heart and use the real talent that God has destined for you."

To our diski Queen, shine on!

Editor: Nomvula Kgoale

IG: @NomvulaK_Words