Third-year Architectural Studies student, Ms Sisanda Ndlela is the proud recipient of a UKZN Prestige Sports Scholarship.

Expressing her gratitude, she said: ‘This is a testament to the appreciation and support UKZN offers me in recognising my hard work and endurance in balancing my studies and performing at international level in my sports code. It will motivate me to aim even higher in both areas.’

Ndlela was selected to play for the Springbok Women’s 7s earlier this year and is proud to represent her country, but just as committed to completing her undergraduate degree and studying further. She aims to obtain a master’s qualification and work as a principal architect.

She also plans to make a future impact at UKZN and give back. ‘I would like to establish a dedicated counselling centre that focusses on the unique mental health challenges faced by Black women by offering culturally sensitive and specialised support.’

This stems from her own mental health challenges. ‘During my second year, I battled with depression and found myself unmotivated and stuck in a dark place.’ Through support and assistance, she overcame this invisible enemy.

Now back on track with both her academics and sport, she is determined to finish strong, ‘for the me who cried myself to sleep at night, for the me that smiled every day and for the tomorrow me who wants to look back and appreciate all the parts of me that tie beautifully together to make me a resilient woman.’

She is aware that it will be tough to balance architecture and rugby. She intends to pursue rugby professionally for as long as she can, play for the HSBC Blitzbok Women’s 7s and travel globally. Ndlela plays centre and wing. She has loved rugby since she was young and although her journey has been tough, that love has never waned.

‘What drew me most was the holistic environment in the UKZN women’s rugby club which prompted me to aspire to be better but most importantly, the competitive space it offers. I am very competitive and rugby fuels my hunger to be better each day.’

She believes she inherited her fighting spirit from her beloved late father Mr Mandlenkosi Ndlela and endurance and patience from her mom Ms Lungi Ngcobo. She has a close bond with her siblings Nompilo, Thandeka and Aneliswa who motivate, appreciate and value her contributions at home. She also acknowledged her partner Mr Ntsika Fisanti who has been a pillar of strength and pushed her past dark times to shine brighter than she could ever have imagined.