The National Gem - From Africa to the world.

Nothando 'Vivo' Vilakazi, born and bred in Middleburg - Mpumalanga. She started her primary school at Manyano Primary School then proceeded to Sofunda Secondary School and later moved to Tuks Sports School where she matriculated in 2008. Nothando furthered her studies at Academic International where she completed her Diploma in Human Resource Management.

Vilakazi said that her football journey began when she started playing for Walter Stars which was an all-boys team. The team was founded by Walter Mokoena, the former sportscaster who is currently a Special Adviser to the Minister of Sports as well as Arts and Culture. She later moved to the now Defunct Highlanders, her first all-girls team.

She continued to say, “this has opened up a lot of opportunities for me, like moving to the University of Pretoria based High Performance Centre where the selection came when I was representing Mpumalanga at the United School Sports Association of South Africa. My hard work and patience saw me to form part of the most formidable women’s football team in the country, Palace Super Falcons. Moreover, one of my greatest achievements in my football journey has to be bagging the contract at Lithuanian football club Gintra Universitetas just a couple of months before South Africa made its first appearance at the World Cup. After Gintra, I came back home and joined TUT Ladies FC, for a few months while I was in search of a team abroad, and by God's grace I am now to leave to join EDF Logrono in the Premera Division in Spain."

Early this year, Vivo joined the 6 times Varsity Football Champions, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Ladies FC, she shares her experience with us as she takes us back to when she joined the team - “firstly, both the team players and management welcomed me with open arms. Honestly, playing for TUT ladies was not difficult at all as I am used to the style of play of how most teams play locally, so I adapted to the team easily. I knew they have a very good record, so I had to work hard to make sure that I help the team stay as good as they are. I would like to thank Coach Sipho Mabuza and his technical team again as they took me at a time where teams were already almost full and had planned their season."

Vilakazi said that her first national call up was in 2007 which was a dream come true, "I got the call the very same day I had just buried my mother, so I'm sure you can imagine how difficult that was. I was full of mixed emotions, but mostly sad as I would have loved for her to be there when I received the news. She was my strength and supported my football life fully, irregardless, I still had to celebrate that moment as it was some sort of validation that my hard work and dedication to something that I love and had put in 100% effort in has finally paid off."

Nothando said that playing for Banyana Banyana has heavily influenced her life especially football wise as it made her realize that one has to always have to work hard even when no one is watching. To add, "being selected from a pool of amazing players from different women's football teams in the entire country is a big deal, so being selected to represent the country has been pushing me to be a better player and to always work extra hard and to always adapt to new situations."

Vilakazi has just signed a contract with EDF Logrono which is currently playing in the Spanish Women's league, when asked if she believes her move will have an influence on women in football - especially in our country - her response was: "I think this is a sign that we as women have the power to do whatever we put our mind to, obviously that comes with hard work and believing in God (for me). So I think if there's anything that other women can take from this is that women as entire species are powerful beyond measure and we should never let go of our dreams no matter how long it takes for us to achieve them.”

Having played in Europe before, she was asked what is she looking forward to in Spain that she probably didn’t experience in her previous European team, she replied, "as someone who watches La Liga and likes Barcelona FC, we can all testify that they play the best football including their ladies side, so this is very exciting and I'm also a bit anxious as now I will be introduced to a different style of playing. I think in Spain they play with much shorter passes, so as a defender my speed and agility is going to have to improve so I can stay in the game."

Vivo has played locally and internationally, she was asked to share three lessons that she'll take from our country that she believes will help her settle especially in her new team: “first it has to be humility, I think that goes along way, to always humble myself and be open to what others have to say but not allowing my voice to be shattered. Secondly, allowing myself to be teachable, to always stay open minded to learning the new culture, style of play and gain new knowledge while at it. Lastly, it is to embrace myself. South Africans are never shy to celebrate anything, so this will definitely help me to stop being a shy person and celebrate my achievements and embrace my culture in a different country."

When asked what she will miss about local football, she said: "I will definitely miss the slang language we use when we play. Singing before and after the games, the flare that we have here at home during a game and the goals scored and definitely the support of friends and family, that always gives me an extra push when playing."

In closing, she leaves a note to herself, "Hard work and dedication have put you where you are now, never stop working hard, best players are the ones who arrive an hour early and leave an hour late at training. Rich people are the ones who do not sleep 8 hours because they are working extra hard."

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