Port Alfred residents speak highly of Zikona “Ziggy” Bhaneti.Grocott’s Mail reporter, Aurélie Kalenga spoke to the town’s young and highly acclaimed Springbok Water polo player:
Port Alfred residents speak highly of Zikona “Ziggy” Bhaneti.Grocott’s Mail reporter, Aurélie Kalenga spoke to the town’s young and highly acclaimed Springbok Water polo player:
You have a lot of accomplishments. Where has the sport taken you so far?
I played for the Border schools from 2005-2009. Then I made the SA junior water polo team in August 2009, which participated in the eighth final Junior World Championships in Khanty Mansysik, Russia.
In that same year, I played in the Border Schools U19A team, which won the interprovincial schools tournament. I was also chosen for the SA schools team in December 2009. Since then I have been part of the Border Women’s team in 2009 and 2010.
How did it feel representing your country?
Representing my country felt electric, I even got goosebumps. It was a great honour.
How did you get involved in water polo?
I learned how to swim at home even before I went to school. Bernice Robertson saw me swimming breaststroke at school one day and invited me to join her swimming club.
Two years later I made the Eastern Cape swimming team. In Grade 7 we were introduced to water polo and in grade 8 I became a full time water polo player.
In December of that year I made the Border U15A team, when I was14. From there I represented Border Schools until 2009.
You are still in school. What are you studying and how do you juggle your academics and sporting career?
I am currently studying Hospitality Management at Stenden University in Port Alfred. Because there is no water polo at Stenden I am forced to train on my own.
On a daily basis, I train for at least two hours at the Port Alfred indoor pool. I also work out for another one to two hours at Oxygen gym.
I travel to East London to play league on Wednesday nights so that I get game practice. In between lectures, I do swimming training and go to the gym as well. So I make sure there is a balance between the two by using my time effectively.
What are your career aspirations?
My goals are to own a boutique hotel, and to be involved in the coaching or management of Junior South African water polo players.
Who are some of your greatest influences?
There are a lot of very important and supportive people who have helped me along my journey. Nona Keet is the chairperson of Border water polo, and also the coach of the Border schools’ water polo team.
Marcelle Keet is currently in the women’s national water polo team, so she is a great model. Bevan Manson is also one of my coaches as well as the captain of the men’s national water polo team.
Border team member Matthew Kleinenberg helps me with my swimming and water polo training. All these people continue to nurture my talent so that one day I can be as influential as they are.
