Proteas limited overs captain Temba Bavuma says he draws inspiration from the work his foundation is doing to assist the under privileged, explaining it reminds him of his own journey that started in Langa, near Cape Town.
The Temba Bavuma Foundation has been in operation for six years, providing help through feeding stations, shelter for the homeless, handing out sanitary pads, and bursaries and scholarships for youngsters.
“ When we started it, it was just a vision, it needed support and work to be put in but fortunately with all the strategic partners that have come in, it has touched a lot of lives,” Bavuma said on Wednesday.
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“The work we’ve managed to do over the last six years has been incredible.”
In addition to the social and educational initiatives, the Foundation has also provided assistance to schools and clubs in need of upgrading or building infrastructure.
“ This year we have a student who is graduating as a CA, she’s from Diepsloot. To be part of that journey to know, you’ve changed a life, brings me a lot of joy.”
“Looking at my roots, and understanding that certain interventions went into place to allow me a good and meaningful opportunity to fulfill my potential. That adds a lot to my purpose and being within the cricketing space,”.Bavuma commented.
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Much of the social work involving different feeding schemes accelerated during the pandemic as people lost jobs and thus means to put food on the table. “(Its’ given me a lot of joy) just seeing the smiles, seeing the tears on the faces from people that we have managed to assist.”
Cricket comes back into focus for Bavuma in the next few weeks ahead of the Proteas tour to India, where the team will play five T20 Internationals. After a challenging 2021/22 season both on an off the field, that concluded with Bavuma playing the whole of the second Test against Bangladesh in Gqeberha with a broken finger, he was grateful for time away from the game, but is looking forward to what will be a very busy 12 months for the Proteas which includes two World Cups and tours to England and Australia.
“My workloads have shot up, as someone who plays in all three formats. I’ve focussed a lot more on my training and recovery and making sure that I am more physically ready to play. My training now is different, I do a lot of recovery work, mobility work, I’ve even started pilates, I have focused a lot more on the body to make sure it is playing ready.”
*The Temba Bavuma Foundation has started an endowment fund to aid with some of its initiatives. Donations and further details can be found on the foundation’s website: https://www.tembabavumafoundation.com