‘TENNIS IS MY OTHER PASSION’

In our Up Close & Personal edition today, we speak to elite volleyball player Lerato Gwebu, the jersey 4 of Bob Ladies’ volleyball club in the Eswatini National Volleyball Association’s (ENVA) Nedbank Eswatini-sponsored league.

Find out who she is and what else she likes other than volleyball as senior sports writer Chris Dlamini has her pour it all out in this interesting read...
Who exactly is Lerato Gwebu?
Lerato is a young, ambitious, sensitive person from Sihhoye. She is always calm and believes in Christianity.

Share with us how you got into volleyball including when you started playing until you became such a top player?
Surprisingly, I only got to play the sport about six years ago, in 2014. My passion was somewhere else but I was recruited and convinced to try it out by Coach Wandile Sithole. Since then I have enjoyed every bit of it.

Have you only played for Bob Ladies or are there other teams?
It has always been Bob Ladies for me. They are the only team for me and are now like my family.
Who is your role model generally?

Thandeka ‘Dawn-King’ (MaNgcobo) from Uzalo (popular SABC soapie).
Coming to sport, who is your role model?
Makhosazane Dlamini and she is my teammate as well but I look up to her for inspiration and motivation. She is just a beast inside the court.
Who is the funniest teammate you have ever played with?

Sikhulile Dlamini is that character for me.
If you were not playing volleyball, what other sport would you be in?
I have a passion for tennis so that is where I would be.

What phone are you using and what is your dream cellphone?
I am currently using a Samsung J7. My dream phone is the Samsung Z-Flip.
What car are you driving or your dream car?
Golf 7R is my dream car, I love it.
What kind of music do you listen to?

Gospel.

Which church do you attend?
Fotizo Christian Gathering Church.
Who is your best friend and what do you normally do when together?

Hloniphile ‘Mtjopi’ Gamedze. She is my bestie and when together it is mostly chit-chat.
With the prevailing situation of coronavirus that has halted all sporting activities around the globe, how do you keep fit?
Jogging and doing a few exercises.

What’s your short message to the nation about staying safe from coronavirus?
Stay at home, avoid social gatherings and wash hands frequently.
What is your favourite holiday destination?

Paris (France).
What is your favourite TV programme?
The Queen (Mzansi Magic).
Do you follow football?
A little ... yah I do.
Who’s your pick? Christiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi and why?
Lionel Messi, he is the best.
What is your favourite dish?
Nothing beats liphutfu nemasi (Sour milk and porridge).
In your game, Correctional and REPS are dominant, why do you think that’s the case?
They are committed to training and disciplined.
Do you have one game you will never forget and why?
Oh yes! Correctional and Bob Ladies. Correctional were leading 23-16 but we managed to catch up and went on to beat them. It felt so good...
Have you represented the country at any level internationally?
With the club in Maputo and here during the Zone Six games a few years ago.
Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates?
Kaizer Chiefs it is.
To aspiring volleyball players, what would be your words of encouragement?
If you believe nothing can stop you. You need to be disciplined as well.

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