We caught up with James Albanie, one of the "originals" and senior statesman of the programme. We were keen to understand a bit more about him, his background and how his journey with and in this programme came to being. Here is what he had to share with us.
My life journey started in the dusty streets of the Little Karoo town of Touwsriver, a very important railway stop for trains en-route to Johannesburg from Cape Town. It is here where I learned the values of love, care, share, strive and responsibility.
My mom used to say education is the key to a better life, but do not forget your manners. She was a very religious women who instilled this value into me and making sure that I educated myself. She showed us the importance of sharing and emphasised the importance of education.
I was a second generation Albanie to attain Tertiary education. I completed by BA Social Work degree in 1991 at UWC and started working in Riversdale. In 1995, I started my MBA at the Business School of the University of Stellenbosch however was unable to complete the course due to my work commitment as a probation officer and intermediary.
It was after my stint there that I received a call from Nicholas Kock to join him at UWC to grow the cricket by helping the team as a senior player. He did this because he felt that I had assisted US Maties cricket and Worcester teams in a similar manner.
“I was honoured to play with and against the greats of South African Cricket. The Gary Kirsten’s, Tim Shaw’s, Jacques Kallis’, Pieter Strydom’s etc.”
At that stage, I was privileged to play five cricket club champs’ tournaments and four university cricket weeks where I accomplished the highest honours. I was honoured to play with and against the greats of South African Cricket. The Gary Kirsten’s, Tim Shaw’s, Jacques Kallis’, Pieter Strydom’s, etc. These guys still competed at club champs’ level back then. I was able to befriend Nicky Boje, Gerhardus Liebenberg, “Uncle” Ewie Cronje and many more.
I got to live in their space and transcended cultural and political boundaries.
Similarly, I also played against some of the African teams such as Zimbabwe and acquainted myself with Mpumelelo “Pommy” Mbangwa, Brian Murphy and many more. My domestic first-class team was Boland cricket and players that impressed me were Terence Lazard, Adrian Kuiper to name a few. I also had the privilege of playing a handful of international games against England and Australia which were most enjoyable.
I was most taken aback and received the most insightful advice from Paddy Upton (previous Protea team physio), who cared for me for free when I got injured at a club champs’ week. I was humbled and sad at the same time because so many people believed in me and my abilities to play for SA, but I was more concerned about the unequal society and levels of poverty I grew up in and witnessed every day in my work life.
Being politically conscious and coming from an era of apartheid and political transition, I realized that I can contribute much more. Remember prior to this, my hometown excelled in all sports and had three junior National Players in cricket at the same time. It was the youngsters Anton Hartnick and Andre Willemse that told me of Nicolas Kock; the young white umpire with whom they shared cheap red wine and many good conversations about his visions and his love and caring spirit. He was the one guy who contributed his prize money to start a cricket support programme. The one committed, principled young white “laaitie” that saw the need for change in SA and responded to it. So when the call came, my heart was already in it and driving from Worcester to Cape Town every week was a privilege for me.
The scholarship Nic offered me enabled me to complete my MAdmin, Honours in Psychology and Psychometric qualifications. I started my PhD, and was promoted at work.
My years at UWC cricket were some of my best years. It was good to be back at the place that gave me a foot in the door and create a future for myself. I studied at UWC and played with the SACOS (no normal sports in an abnormal society) greats such as Gary Paul, Leolyn Jackson (EP), Patrick Witbooi (SWD) and the evergreen Professor Andre Odendaal (WP).
SS4LS has created a structure of support around all players. I tried to keep motivation amongst players at maximum levels and at the same time encourage them to complete their education.
SS4LS has created a structure of support around all players. I tried to keep motivation amongst players at maximum levels and at the same time encourage them to complete their education. I was in the position to do so because at thirty-five years of age, I had established a career and was doing my third degree; a second post-graduate one. And most of all I was playing a sport I loved. Believe it or not I never played to compete but to relax and be amongst friends with common vision.
The foundation laid by Craig Marias as coach and the excellent work done by Ezra Poole and Andrew Wylie, lifted UWC from “D” Division in WP club cricket to “A” Division status. These coaches steered our cricket teams to ensure UWC Cricket took its rightful place amongst the more established universities in the Western Cape, this did my heart good. It was a shame and a challenge for me to play with colleges and Technikons, because of political structures and not playing ability.
In closing, the food, clothing, psychosocial support and not forgetting the financial support made possible through the programme, helped players get that edge in life and they have responded brilliantly. I believe my quiet conversations, scolding and presence, not only helped students but created many friends. It is in this programme and cricket team, where my role as a mentor and elder surfaces strongly and I feel honoured to have had the privilege to end my student cricket year with them.
Yours in sport,
James
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