PeacePlayers South Africa Storybook FINAL - Flipbook - Page 54
Thobani Khumalo, also known as “Panda” started
playing basketball consistently in 2004 after his older
brother introduced him to a team in Montclair that
was a part of the Playing for Peace programme. He
would take about an hour's walk from his township,
Lamontville, to Montclair to play a game that
eventually opened up many doors for him within and
outside the basketball court lines. Thobani describes
his experience in Lamontville before Playing for
Peace as a “confined” environment. So, the exposure
to places like Montclair and eventually the likes
of Molweni was refreshing for him. Playing for Peace
soon started programmes in his hometown of
Lamontville in 2006.
Once his playing days concluded, Thobani knew
he wanted to remain a part of the organisation and
make an impact. So, he started coaching in 2007.
Later he moved on to numerous roles, including Area
Coordinator, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator,
and Life Skills Coordinator, to name a few. Once
more involved in the curriculum development
side, he entered into a uniquely effective flow-state
and rhythmic facilitation style of delivery, which
impacted so many participants and his peers.
As Thobani reflects on the core of his time in the field
with PeacePlayers participants, he thinks of a few
memorable moments and realizations:
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PEACEPLAYERS SOUTH AFRICA STORYBOOK
