In this section: Wayne Parnell, Sibusiso Zuma, Graeme Smith and more…
Itumeleng Khune, football player
At the age of 22, Itumeleng Khune is arguably the best goalkeeper in the country, who is often let down by his defenders. Khune always puts up a great fight when he dons the number one jersey.
In his first Premier Soccer League season last year Khune played a big role in the Kaiser Chiefs’ defensive prowess and his contribution was recognised when he was named the players’ player of the season, goalkeeper of the season, 2007-8 Telkom Knockout player of the tournament and goalkeeper of the tournament. He has since shown remarkable maturity and with his talent, confidence and courage Khune certainly has a great future ahead of him. — Lucky Sindane
Lunch spot: Spur Steak Ranch, anywhere
Tsakane Mbewe, netball player
Netball is not a professional sport and players rely on match allowances, which makes it difficult for them to make ends meet. As a result talented players quit the game and look for permanent employment. But because of Tsakane Mbewe’s passion for the game, the thought of quitting has never crossed her mind. Instead she focuses on keeping her shooting average between 85% and 90%. Mbewe, who is 1,79m tall, is undoubtedly the country’s best goal shooter at the moment. She was recently named the best shooter in a series against the Barbados in Cape Town. — Lucky Sindane
Lunch spot: Steak Spur Ranch, anywhere
Bryan Gary Habana, rugby player
Ironically this rugby star was named after Manchester football greats Bryan Robson and Gary Bailey. Bryan Gary Habana abandoned his love for football after he witnessed the Springboks win the 1995 rugby World Cup. Since then his love for the oval ball has grown to be complemented with some fine moments in both national team colours and for his beloved club, the Blue Bulls. The Boks’ wing scored eight tries in 2007 to equal the record set by All Blacks’ Jonah Lomu in 1999 for most tries in one World Cup. He was subsequently named the International Rugby Board’s 2007 player of the year. Habana is known for his great speed and is arguably the best finisher in the world. — Phathisani Moyo
Lunch spot: Pachas, Hazelwood, Pretoria
Graeme Smith, cricket player
Captain Courageous! In January this year Graeme Smith received a standing ovation in Australia, a place he was vilified in 2005-6, for batting with a broken hand in an attempt to save the Third Test. It was one of those selfless acts that will be forever remembered in the sport.
The Proteas skipper also marshalled the Proteas to a top finish in the International Cricket Council One Day Internationals for the 2008-9 season. South Africa also came within a whisker of wresting the number one Test status from Australia under the captaincy of the fluid Smith. In a dream season the Proteas defeated India, walloped England and handed the Aussies their first loss at home in 16 years. — Phathisani Moyo
Lunch spot: Caveau Wine Bar and Deli, Newlands, Cape Town
Thabang Moeketsane, swimmer
He left it to the last qualifying event in Durban and unfortunately flu cost him a spot at the Beijing Olympics. Thabang Moeketsane, 21, who had been training for the Beijing Olympics since 2003 will now set his sights on the 2012 London Olympics. Moeketsane specialises in 100m, 200m breaststroke and 4x100m medley relay.
He made a name for himself when he came second during the 2004 Commonwealth games in the 100m and 200m breaststroke. He won a silver medal in the 2005 short course competition in the 100m and 200m breaststroke, a bronze medal in the 100m event and a gold medal in the 4x100m medley relay. He could become South Africa’s first black swimmer at the Olympics. — Lucky Sindane
Lunch spot: Anywhere where good food is served
Zodwa Maphanga, table tennis player
Few athletes get to be mentored by Haile Gebrselassie. Zodwa Maphanga is part of the privileged G4S 4teen progamme that boasts the services of the Ethiopian world record holder as its ambassador. Recognised by the South African Table Tennis Board as a player with immense potential, Maphanga has been playing table tennis since she was 12 years old. Gebrselassie’s task is to help Maphanga and her international group of promising young athletes qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The 18-year-old Africa under-21 doubles silver medalist participated in the African Seniors Cup in Congo Brazzaville, Commonwealth Youth Games and the ninth All Africa Games and took the bronze medal in both the doubles and mixed doubles at the South African senior championships last year.
In her spare time, the talented ping-pong ball player hosts training sessions for orphaned children from SOS Children’s Village in Mamelodi. — Phathisani Moyo
Lunch spot: Capellos, Hatfield
Tandi Cuningham, golfer
South African golfers have left an indelible mark on the professional mens’ circuits around the world. Tandi Cuningham seems to be on a mission to prove that what men can do, women can do — maybe even better.
The 22-year-old became an instant star of the game when she beat a classy field to win the South African Open at Parkview Golf Club early this year. Cuningham tore into the Parkview greens with the dominance of a seasoned player when she took an eight-stroke lead into the third and final round.
Yet, her victory in the SA Open was her first in only her third appearance as a professional. She has now set her sights on Europe where she hopes to have the same impact. — Phathisani Moyo
Lunch spot: Moyo, Zoo Lake, Johannesburg
Wayne Parnell, cricket player
At 19 years old, Wayne Parnell is the youngest player to be awarded a Cricket South Africa contract and there is enough justification for the confidence in the left arm swing pace bowler. He captained the South African U19 team to the finals of the ICC U19 World Cup, took 4-25 in his one day international, which was against none other than the mighty Aussies. And he holds the bat quite well down the lower order too.
Many will remember that the last Under 19 captain, Graeme Smith, went on to lead the national side. The all-rounder is a definite Proteas asset for years to come not only as a player but a future leader on the field. — Phathisani Moyo
Lunch spot: Casa Bianca, Kings Beach, Port Elizabeth
Ryk Neethling, swimmer
Ryk Neethling is one of South Africa’s most successful swimmers. He holds the South African record in five different events and ranks in the top 10 in the world in the 50m, 100m, 200m freestyle and individual medleys. Neethling won a gold medal in the 4×100 freestyle relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics and he’s also the first South African to compete in four successive Olympic games.
Neethling will mostly be remembered for turning down the multimillion-dollar offer to swim for the Qatar in 2005. But the biggest disappointment of his career came last year at the Beijing Olympics when he crashed out of the first round of the 100m freestyle after finishing last in his heat. — Lucky Sindane
Lunch spot: Home sweet home
Sibusiso Zuma, footballer
You will not have to worry about the bill if you can land a lunch date with Mamelodi Sundowns star, Sibusiso Zuma. The former Bafana Bafana striker is the highest paid player in the South African Premier Soccer League.
The player is reportedly on a cool R200 000 monthly salary. You may ask why so much? Well, a glimpse of his CV will tell you that this could be a bargain price for a player good enough to be placed 29th in the Fifa World player of the Year award in 2001. German Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld had to fork out €1-million for the player known as “Zuma the Puma” to the South African fans. Naturally, the Brazilians had to break the bank to lure him away from Europe. — Phathisani Moyo
Lunch spot: Anywhere in South Africa