It’s been some time since Temba Bavuma played mini-cricket, but despite having recently returned from England as captain of the World Test Champions, the Proteas skipper still made time to pay tribute to the development of the sport in South Africa.
The annual KFC mini-cricket seminar was held in Polokwane over three days, which ended on Tuesday.
Bavuma was first scheduled to make an appearance at the event on Monday, but his busy schedule did not make it possible.
However, the Proteas skipper, who is in high demand at the moment, made sure he then made a surprise appearance on the final day of the seminar.
Bavuma Arrives to Applause, Engages with Audience and Districts
Bavuma arrived to rapturous applause from the region representatives and coaches from all over South Africa.
The 35-year-old then fielded questions from the audience for over 30 minutes before taking photos with all the districts over the next hour.
One person who shared particularly special memories with Bavuma is Geoffrey Toyana.
Toyana, at one point tipped to become Proteas coach back in 2017 before Cricket South Africa went in a different direction, coached Bavuma at the Lions during the rising star’s formative years.
In fact, Toyana won four trophies in his first three seasons in charge at the Lions when Bavuma was making a name for himself in first-class cricket.
The pair actually go even further back, to when Bavuma was playing at Soweto Cricket Club and Toyana helped mentor the youngster.
Toyana Reflects on Bavuma’s Heroic Welcome and the Impact on Volunteers
To witness Bavuma receive a hero’s welcome wherever he goes now was indeed special for Toyana.
“It’s beautiful. For the people to welcome him like that,” Toyana told IOL in an exclusive interview.
“I was one of those who went to pick him up at the airport as well. He was excited. He understands the magnitude of a program like that.
“And for him to honour it, not many people have sat close to that mace. And these people around here, the volunteers of our programmes, for them to see the national captain honouring an event like that. I mean, they’ll take those memories back home to their kids as well. Which is something special.”
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
