Diamond Days: My Team

I decided to become a GRS intern within a period of two weeks, without ever adequately devoting enough consideration to the prospect. I had nothing else to do. I thought it was a good cause. It was more of “why not?” logic than a ravenous, must-have mentality. It’s so surreal to think that had my somewhat haphazard decision-making led me down a different path, I never would have met the 11 girls on my team. I never would have known they exist.

I guess this can be said of anyone, anywhere. But the fragments of my life, and theirs, that had to fall into place to result in our happy collision seem more unlikely than usual. In honor of this personally awe-inspiring serendipity, I’ve decided to immortalize my roster in the vast breadth of cyber space, or, my blog. I confess, I’m partially motivated by my desire to give my readership (humorous… “readership”…as if it expanded much beyond my parents) an idea of the names I attempt to pronounce on a regular basis. Thus, I present the exquisitely feisty females that make up team “Red Danger.”

Unacceptable Coach's Favoritism: Tshego and Kelebs

Tshegofatso Maarman: Shy, yet amazingly spunky and stylish in her own way. Defender. Eleven years old. Dreadlocks. Favorite.

Molebogeng Lefera: Bold. Confident, yet quietly so. Midfielder. Twelve years old. Fascinated by my hair.

Mpho Mbangi: Reserved, but so genuinely sweet she could give me diabetes. Midfielder. Twelve years old. Comes through during discussions like a champ.

Didimalang Moses: Attitude. Sassiest little lady I’ve ever seen. Loud. Striker. Thirteen years old. Tall and utterly beautiful. Alpha female.

Refilwe Jakkals: Extremely quiet. Always observing. Defender. Twelve years old. Soft, pink-brown, J-shaped scar reaching from her lower left lip up into her cheek. I don’t know what happened. Scars are commonplace here, but I want to hear her story.

Tumelo Motsamai: Independent. Speaks when she needs to. Striker. Thirteen years old. Tall, lanky, and dark.

Goitsemang Springbok: Affectionate. Fairly awkward. Any position she deems suitable at any given moment. Twelve years old.

Abigail Moawci: Vocal at the right time. Passionate. Striker. Thirteen years old. Great afro puff.

Kamogelo Motlagomang: Edgy and borderline arrogant. Latecomer. Ally of Didi. Striker. Thirteen years old. Good foot skills. Short and slight.

Becca Mosina: Smart. Soft-spoken yet powerful. Midfielder. Twelve years old. Extra junk in the trunk. AWOL, sadly.

Kelebogile Konstantina: Deceptively quiet. Attitude and flair all her own, once you pull her out of the shell. Defender. Twelve years old. Balls outrageous. Favorite number two.