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GABI ON TENNIS AND DEVELOPMENT

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In this week’s up-close and personal, we chat with renowned Mhlume tennis coach Gabi Mkhabela.  She opens up about her passion and inspiration to play and eventually become a tennis coach.

The coach talks about the negative effects of the coronavirus and their plans for the resumption of sports when government gives the green light. Mkhonta also gives a brief visual picture on who she is if not involved in tennis. 
THEMBA ZWANE (TZ): Who is Gabi Mkhabela?


GABI MKHABELA (GM); Gabi Mkhabela is basically the Mhlume tennis club coach.
TZ: Before coaching Mhlume, what did you do and with which club?
GM: I have only coached Mhlume players.


TZ: Who inspired you to play tennis?
GM: Masiza Ntjangase from Correctional, who is one of the top senior players. He was my source of inspiration to take up tennis.
TZ: Tell us your achievements since you started playing or coaching tennis players


GM: Most of my players come top in the Eswatini Building Society junior tournaments thus getting a chance to represent the country in international competitions. Players like Vusi Tsabedze and Andiswa have both played in Botswana while Fezokuhle Mavuso and Sakhizwe Malindzisa featured during a tournament in Namibia.
TZ: Besides tennis, which other sport are you good at or like?


GM: None.
TZ: Who is your favourite tennis player and why?
GM: Naomi Osaka from Japan is one of the youngest players who has held the top ranking in world women singles for sometime now.
TZ: Tell us about your take on the coronavirus?
GM: The coronavirus has affected us a lot. Like every sport, tennis has been seriously affected by the coronavirus with tournaments postponed or cancelled. We are also doing individual training, which is difficult especially for my young players.


TZ: If you were to find your bank account credited with E10 million, how would you spend it?
GM: I would provide tennis equipment for most schools as well as build tennis structures for each school so that it can also be accommodated in SSSA events which take place annually in schools.
TZ: Your favourite holiday destination?
GM: Tenerife (largest of Spain’s Canary Islands).
TZ: Your type of music...three songs on your playlist currently?
GM:  I listen to most genres. In my playlist I have Major - Why I Love You. Ledger - My Arms then Dj Njebza featuring Dj Tira – Sdomdom
TZ: Quotes that guide or inspire you?
GM: Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
TZ: What book are you currently reading?
GM: Sidney Sheldon - Tell me your dreams.
TZ: Your dream car?
GM: Ford Mustang GT convertible.
TZ: Beside tennis, career-wise what you do?
GM: I am a qualified teacher.
TZ: How do you unwind?
GM: I take a walk.
TZ: Tell us the one tennis player you admire most in the world?
GM: Hayden Loffler.
TZ: It has been a pleasure chatting with you and all the best for the future
GM: The feeling is mutual my brother ... thanks a lot for the recognition.

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