Khanyisa Chawane, the newly appointed captain of South Africa's Spar Proteas netball team, made a strong debut as leader with a 3-0 series whitewash over Malawi in the Spar Women’s Netball Challenge held at Ellis Park Arena. Chawane’s first test as the senior women’s captain showcased her leadership skills, built from prior experiences such as captaining South Africa’s Baby Proteas to the Netball World Youth Cup and leading Limpopo’s Under-16 provincial team. Now, as she steps into this significant role, she’s set to lead the Proteas into the Africa Cup in Swakopmund, Namibia, in December.
For Chawane, the weight of captaining a senior national team is distinct from her previous roles. “It is definitely different, as a junior, it’s more fun. It’s just you and your friends, whatever you do, everyone follows. But here you need to be more responsible,” she explains. The Proteas’ captain sees her new role as not just leading on the court but representing the face of South African netball. As she emphasizes, this leadership position demands mindfulness, responsibility, and a focus on upholding the image of the team and the country.
Despite her position as the team’s captain, Chawane feels fortunate to lead a squad of experienced players, many of whom have held leadership roles with other teams. “The people that I am leading now, I have led before. But my role in the team has changed from being just a player to being a leader,” she shares. This mutual respect among seasoned players allows for a collaborative environment, where each player takes responsibility and shares a collective leadership mindset.
The Proteas’ early-season performances were commanding, with notable winning margins in each game of the Malawi series. Chawane is proud of her team’s cohesion and ability to excel across different combinations, crediting her teammates’ commitment and adaptability as key factors in their success. However, she’s also mindful of the challenges that lie ahead, including the upcoming test series in Jamaica and the All Nations Cup in England in 2025.
Looking ahead, Chawane hopes her captaincy will be marked by new achievements and milestones for South African netball, particularly in winning medals in major tournaments. The Proteas have come close, notably at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, where they narrowly missed a bronze against England. Reflecting on her ambitions, Chawane expresses her determination to break new ground and lead the Proteas to podium finishes. “I have confidence in our coaches and the group we have right now that we will be able to achieve those things. Yes, you might be a great leader, but the track record really matters.”
Chawane’s sights are firmly set on making history, striving for medals and victories that have eluded the team in the past. Her vision as captain is not just about strong performances but securing concrete results that prove the Spar Proteas’ potential on the world stage.
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