Flipping the Script: How Mdluli Is Growing Gymnastics in Soweto

(The Post News)– Growing up in a school where only netball and soccer were offered, Jennifer Mdluli never felt like she fit in. Netball didn’t excite her, and soccer though fun, was dominated by boys. With no structured opportunities for girls who didn’t enjoy either sport, she often found herself making excuses to sit out.

Her discovery of rhythmic gymnastics was a turning point. The elegance of ribbons and hoops captivated her. “It felt like the thing I had always been looking for,” she says. Her journey into the sport came with hurdles, self-doubt, lack of representation, and the high financial costs. Yet, it became her passion.

Over time, Mdluli moved from competing to coaching. Inspired by her own mentor, Fikile Jaxa, she decided to give back by opening a gymnastics club in Soweto. In 2024, Emerald Gymnastics Club was born, with just ten sign-ups. “We knew it would take patience, but the bigger picture kept us going,” she explains.

Their Open Day in March saw over 50 children attend, with many trying the sport for the first time. Despite the enthusiasm, the cost of leotards, equipment and travel remains a major hurdle. Still, Mdluli remains hopeful. “We’re doing what we can, but support is needed,” she says.

Her dream is to grow the club, make it inclusive, and introduce boys to aerobic gymnastics. “Gymnastics gave me confidence and discipline,” she reflects. “I want Soweto’s children to feel the same pride I did, standing on the podium, proving we belong.”