Purple warrior silent but deadly

VANDERBIJLPARK. – Don’t let her bubbly personality fool you. When 22-year-old Cynthia Mudau steps onto the basketball court she turns into NWU Vaal’s silent assassin.

Her blood is as purple as it comes and she will sacrifice anything for her North-West University family. She recently underlined this statement when she pushed through with an injury to be crowned as the Most Valuable Player of the USSA tournament.

“Last year was such a difficult year for me because I got an injury and I couldn’t play for close to three months. I only trained for one week before the tournament and I had to take it easy because I wasn’t fully healed. My coaches used me wisely during the tournament. Our team played very well but we lost in the final. I remember feeling so disappointed because I felt like I could have done more in that game but my body was giving up on me,” she recalls.  She was also chosen for the USSA national squad.

Born and raised in Soweto she showed an early knack for sports and excelled in athletics, ballet and netball. It was at Norkem Park High where she fell in love with basketball.  She matriculated in 2015 and finished her high school career on a high note when she was crowned as the Gauteng Secondary Sports Woman of the Year.

“It was just an amazing moment for me because I had never thought I would win a whole award for sports. It was crazy, I met celebrities on the day and got a cash prize. It was my matric year and me being passionate, I didn’t quit basketball. I continued to play because I knew how to balance my school work and basketball.”

She recently obtained her degree in International Trade and is currently studying marketing. Her crosshair is also focused on starting a business on the sideline. Even though she is smart, athletic and a team player she is adamant that there is no substitute for hard work.

“I am very athletic. I can run, jump and have great stamina. As much as the talent was there, it took a lot of hard work. I believe that in anything you do, whether it is in sport, work or personal life. When you do something, put everything into it. Take time to learn from others and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking people for help.”

She has two items she is itching to scratch off her bucket list before she tackles the corporate world.

“Winning the USSA tournament and Varsity cup with my NWU family is definitely at the top of my list. I also want to do my honors next year. And after that she might conquer the world.