IN A ROUNDABOUT way Lerato Malekutu has her older brother and a TV remote control to thank for her new position as media officer of the Proteas at Cricket South Africa.
Forget the fact that this talented 23-year-old majored in economics at the University of Johannesburg, is studying to be a cricket coach and has a knowledge of the game that would put many so-called experts to shame.
"Growing up in Tzaneen my brother used to love watching cricket on TV and he would be in charge of the remote, so I didn't really have a choice but to learn the game," said Malekutu, two days before stepping into her new position on September 1.
"I was about nine and that's when I began to learn about cricket. My brother would explain the rules to me and ever since then I've been hooked."
She can hardly contain her excitement over her new job.
"It's a dream come true to be honest. I've always known from a young age I wanted to be involved in the sport.
"I used to read the stories in the Sunday Times by Colin Bryden. One week he would be in Sydney, next he'd be at Lords in England. Then, wow, he would be in India. And I used to think to myself, that must be the perfect job," she says.
At 15, while studying at Merensky High School in Tzaneen, she met a woman who would ultimately help shape her future, Kass Naidoo.
Naidoo was one of the first women to enter into the male-dominated world of cricket in South Africa in the early 2000s and break many stereotypes that surrounded the game.
She went on to become a highly respected TV and radio commentator and today works for CSA as their brand and corporate relations manager. Naidoo is involved in the Champions League Twenty20, which starts on Friday .
"I first met her at a function and explained to her my love of cricket and desire to become a cricket writer," Malekutu said. "We kept in contact and she mentored me. It was Kass who suggested that I study journalism after matric."
Though Malekutu's parents were happy to have their daughter playing cricket in the school XI, becoming a cricket writer was not exactly what they had in mind for their child.
"When I told them I wanted to be a cricket journalist they asked 'what about accounting and engineering'? They just didn't understand. My parents still don't understand cricket," she says with a laugh.
"But they are happy that I'm happy. They are very proud of me now."
And so they should be. Malekutu is the first black woman to hold this senior position at Cricket SA and her maturity is way beyond her years. The job is a demanding one and it is to CSA's credit that they have identified such talent and are prepared to nurture it. From sending out press releases to setting up impromptu interviews, from organising team sheets to interviews after the game for the media, this is definitely no 9 to 5 office job.
It's a pressured environment and one which takes time to grow into.
"Management have put a lot of faith in me. Because of my age and experience I almost feel some people will be waiting for me to fail.
"This is an opportunity to give it my all. I have nothing to lose at the end of the day and I can always say I gave it my best shot."
Malekutu is realistic about the challenges she faces.
While there are definitely perks associated with such a top position - exotic overseas locations and international exposure - it's not all gin and tonics at the hotel swimming pool.
"I have to get the respect of the players. I'm there to do a job," she says.
"Graeme (Smith) is genuinely excited to have me there and the players have so far been very open and accommodating."
And the travelling?
"I'm young and I don't have somebody waiting for me at home. I've always wanted to see the world."
Malekutu is not new to Cricket SA. She has been their media officer for cricket development for two years.
Away from the game Malekutu is like any other young woman. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, watching sports and has started to enjoy jazz.
She's tried to convert some friends to cricket but hasn't had much luck: "I've tried but they are pathetic! Which is cool as I might end up talking cricket 24/7."
In love with cricket
IN A ROUNDABOUT way Lerato Malekutu has her older brother and a TV remote control to thank for her new position as media officer of the Proteas at Cricket South Africa.
Forget the fact that this talented 23-year-old majored in economics at the University of Johannesburg, is studying to be a cricket coach and has a knowledge of the game that would put many so-called experts to shame.
"Growing up in Tzaneen my brother used to love watching cricket on TV and he would be in charge of the remote, so I didn't really have a choice but to learn the game," said Malekutu, two days before stepping into her new position on September 1.
"I was about nine and that's when I began to learn about cricket. My brother would explain the rules to me and ever since then I've been hooked."
She can hardly contain her excitement over her new job.
"It's a dream come true to be honest. I've always known from a young age I wanted to be involved in the sport.
"I used to read the stories in the Sunday Times by Colin Bryden. One week he would be in Sydney, next he'd be at Lords in England. Then, wow, he would be in India. And I used to think to myself, that must be the perfect job," she says.
At 15, while studying at Merensky High School in Tzaneen, she met a woman who would ultimately help shape her future, Kass Naidoo.
Naidoo was one of the first women to enter into the male-dominated world of cricket in South Africa in the early 2000s and break many stereotypes that surrounded the game.
She went on to become a highly respected TV and radio commentator and today works for CSA as their brand and corporate relations manager. Naidoo is involved in the Champions League Twenty20, which starts on Friday .
"I first met her at a function and explained to her my love of cricket and desire to become a cricket writer," Malekutu said. "We kept in contact and she mentored me. It was Kass who suggested that I study journalism after matric."
Though Malekutu's parents were happy to have their daughter playing cricket in the school XI, becoming a cricket writer was not exactly what they had in mind for their child.
"When I told them I wanted to be a cricket journalist they asked 'what about accounting and engineering'? They just didn't understand. My parents still don't understand cricket," she says with a laugh.
"But they are happy that I'm happy. They are very proud of me now."
And so they should be. Malekutu is the first black woman to hold this senior position at Cricket SA and her maturity is way beyond her years. The job is a demanding one and it is to CSA's credit that they have identified such talent and are prepared to nurture it. From sending out press releases to setting up impromptu interviews, from organising team sheets to interviews after the game for the media, this is definitely no 9 to 5 office job.
It's a pressured environment and one which takes time to grow into.
"Management have put a lot of faith in me. Because of my age and experience I almost feel some people will be waiting for me to fail.
"This is an opportunity to give it my all. I have nothing to lose at the end of the day and I can always say I gave it my best shot."
Malekutu is realistic about the challenges she faces.
While there are definitely perks associated with such a top position - exotic overseas locations and international exposure - it's not all gin and tonics at the hotel swimming pool.
"I have to get the respect of the players. I'm there to do a job," she says.
"Graeme (Smith) is genuinely excited to have me there and the players have so far been very open and accommodating."
And the travelling?
"I'm young and I don't have somebody waiting for me at home. I've always wanted to see the world."
Malekutu is not new to Cricket SA. She has been their media officer for cricket development for two years.
Away from the game Malekutu is like any other young woman. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, watching sports and has started to enjoy jazz.
She's tried to convert some friends to cricket but hasn't had much luck: "I've tried but they are pathetic! Which is cool as I might end up talking cricket 24/7."
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