Supporting young girls in sport is not an act of charity. It is an act of transformation. In South Africa, sport has always reflected our history — who had access, who was excluded, who was seen, and who was invisible.
I first met Oreneile Malefetse in 2025 at a family gathering. In the middle of conversation and laughter, she spoke about hockey with a spark in her eyes.
It wasn’t just something she did — it was something she loved. She spoke about training, about competing, about wanting to go further. You could hear it in her voice: this was not a hobby. This was purpose.
So when I received a message that began, “Hey Aunty Zintle… it’s me again, and I need help,” I already knew what needed to happen. A blog had to be written. Her story had to be shared. Because dreams like hers are not meant to be carried alone — they are meant to be carried by a village.
For many years, hockey was widely perceived as a sport reserved for white and privileged communities. Access to quality facilities, coaching, international exposure, and equipment was unevenly distributed. As a result, many talented black girls never had the opportunity to imagine themselves stepping onto those fields.
Today, transformation in sport is no longer just a policy conversation; it is a lived reality unfolding before us. It is young black girls standing confidently with hockey sticks in hand, challenging old narratives and claiming space in arenas that were once closed to them.
It is proof that democracy is not only about constitutional language, but about equal opportunity and representation in every sector of society.
Oreneile Malefetse represents this new generation.
She has been selected to represent South African Hockey in the Netherlands from September through October — a country globally recognised as a powerhouse in the sport. This opportunity is not just about travel; it is about exposure at the highest level of competition, growth through international experience, and doors opening for her future. It is the kind of opportunity that can redefine a young athlete’s trajectory.
When Oreneile steps onto that field in the Netherlands, she will carry more than a national badge. She will carry representation. She will carry the hopes of young girls who need to see themselves reflected in spaces of excellence. She will carry the quiet but powerful message that talent does not belong to one race, one class, or one postcode.
She will demonstrate that transformation is real when we support it in practical ways.
However, as with many young athletes in South Africa, international selection comes with financial barriers. Travel expenses, accommodation, kit, tournament fees, and related costs must be covered. For many families, these costs are overwhelming. Talent and dedication alone do not pay for flights. Hard work does not automatically secure sponsorship.
If we truly believe in transformation, gender equality, and youth development, this is our moment to act. Supporting Oreneile means investing in women and girls in sport. It means backing transformation beyond rhetoric. It means strengthening the democratic promise that opportunity should not be determined by race, background, or economic status, but by merit and determination.
Oreneile has done the work. She has trained, committed herself, and earned her place. Now she needs a community willing to stand behind her.
Every contribution, no matter the size, moves her closer to representing South Africa on an international stage. Every share of her story increases her visibility and opens doors to potential sponsors.
This is not just about hockey. It is about changing narratives, expanding representation, and ensuring that our girls compete globally without being held back by financial limitations.
Let us not allow history to limit her future. Let us not allow economic barriers to silence potential. Let us be part of the generation that ensures our young women do not only participate — they excel.
For donation information or sponsorship support, please contact her father, Mophethi Malefetse, on 072 296 9789.
If you are unable to contribute financially, please share this story widely. Community support can take many forms.
When Oreneile steps onto that field in the Netherlands, she will not stand alone. She will stand with all of us who chose to believe in her.
Oreneile, we are proud of you already, Phogole.
