THE HEART OF A CHAMPION
GQ South Africa|August 2024
AYABONGA KHAKA IS A RIGHT-ARM medium bowler for South Africa's national cricket team, and earned a national contract with Cricket South Africa in 2018.
THE HEART OF A CHAMPION

Born in Middledrift near Alice in the Eastern Cape, Khaka began playing cricket in her hometown streets, only formally starting in grade 1 at iNgwenya Primary School. As the only girl in the boys' mini cricket team, she thrived on the challenge and discipline of bowling.

Khaka played mini cricket until she was 14, then briefly switched to soccer in high school.

She resumed cricket in grade 9 with the Middledrift Women's Cricket Club, ultimately choosing cricket over football. She progressed to the Border Under19 girls' team and the senior provincial team, joining the national Under-19 team in 2009.

Training under former national player Mfuneko Ngam at the University of Fort Hare, Khaka continues her cricket career while studying Human Movement Sciences.

This story is from the August 2024 edition of GQ South Africa.

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This story is from the August 2024 edition of GQ South Africa.

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