On Winning The South African Sports Star of The Year Award
I felt extremely excited and honoured about winning the South African Sports Star of the Year award. I was emotional, I had tears of excitement and the fact that I'm not the only one winning this award makes it special. When I win, I win with a whole lot of people, kids of from ekasi that look up to me, people that always support me, Mama Joy – she has played a huge role as well in motivating and keeping me positive. She is not just a supporter but a mother as well. There are so many people I can mention – Mamelodi Sundowns supporters and just South African supporters in general. I'm winning for the people from where I'm from, emakhayeni (in the rural areas) and to understand that you can be on stage and get the biggest trophy in South African sport. For me, it's just incredible and I'm emotional about it. When you are nominated, you always know there is a possibility of winning something – I had that in mind, but at the same time, I was in a category with people who are doing fantastically well in their respective sporting codes. I had that in mind that anything is possible, I might win and I might not, but I should be okay with the fact that I'm nominated. You don't go there and disrespect the people who are in your category, you respect them because there is a reason why they are in the finals with you.
On What This Award Means To Her
This award means women are taken seriously and are appreciated for their hard work finally, and it means that we are heading in the right direction. I strongly believe that women are the powerhouse, we have been doing fantastically well. When you look at the Momentum Proteas, they've done us proud as a country by reaching the final of the World Cup and there is Netball South Africa that is promoting the girls the way girls need to be promoted. Banyana Banyana is also being appreciated by the association because things have levelled up now by the association. That is incredible and it also shows that women are being taken seriously and they understand the value that we bring as well. I just pray that a whole lot of things can come into place for women footballers so that everyone gets contracted and play (in a) professional league something that the Minister (of Sport and Recreation, Zizi Kodwa) said is on his list. I pray that things change and this award is not just mine, it's for all the women that have worked hard in the past to pave our way. It's for the women that are currently working hard to represent their country, it's for the young girl and young boy as well who believes in me and wants to achieve more than I have achieved.
On Her Success With Both Sundowns And Banyana
I can believe all the success that I have achieved because I'm a woman of faith, I believe that anything is possible as long as you put your mind into it and work hard. We've been working hard at Mamelodi Sundowns and Banyana Banyana. Everyone has always wanted to see change for women's football. Even the SAFA president (Dr Danny Jordaan) has said that he wants one day to see a Banyana Banyana player being a millionaire, owning their own things and just playing professionally. I did believe because I have faith in God. I did believe that when the time is right everything is possible and anything can happen. We had a plan and our plan worked accordingly that's why I won with Sundowns and the national team. There's a FIFA World Cup in July, but the most important thing for me is to get into the squad first. This is the motivation for me, to say, "Andile, you need to pick up your socks and be the best – your mentality should be at the level where you compete with the best in the world." I need to work extremely hard because there are so many South Africans that believe in me. So, I have no choice but to work extremely hard and motivate the rest because we are in the same journey.
On Inspirational Goalkeepers
I have so many inspirational current and former goalkeepers. The first one is Thokozile Mndaweni – she taught me that as a soccer player you need to be kind, genuine and advising to people who you play with. She motivated me when I was a youngster. She mentored me. I used to ask her, "How do you dive from one spot to another and make a good save?" and she said to me, "The difference between me and you is that you are quicker than me." That, for me, changed everything. That motivated me. I love a human being more than anything. The second one is former USA goalkeeper Hope Solo. She is a fighter and was the world's best. She is undeniably the best former women goalkeeper in the world. I looked up to her because of everything that she did and the way she performed on the field of play. When I looked at her, I got inspired and I needed someone to inspire me because I was not a goalkeeper when I started, I was a striker. The late Senzo Meyiwa was a fighter, he was short and yet he could get anywhere. He protected his goalposts. He motivated me because I'm not tall as well. He was the same as Iker Casillas, the way they played for their respective countries and teams, they played a huge role in inspiring me. They played for their countries with pride. Senzo was someone who loved people and Mama Joy always talks about the way Senzo was. Itumeleng Khune is my brother firstly, he gave me my first professional gloves when he came to watch a Banyana game that we were playing in Dobsonville. He came with Reneilwe Letsholonyane and when you receive a gift like that, it changes your life. He is my brother for real and always checks up on me and he told me to set the bar high. Last but not least, my Mamelodi Sundowns clubmate, Kennedy Mweene. He did the same thing that Itumeleng did when he came to Sundowns. He is a mentor, a brother and I respect him for respecting women footballers.
