Today meet brilliant young swimming champion – Kobe Ndebele. Kobe is humble, hard working and focussed to make a success of all that he touches. He was born in the UK, and proudly resides in Jozie where he is grateful for family, friends, school and swim training at Haupt Swimming Club.
It is such an honour to catch our young athletes in their development years, and watch them grow into noble athletes of stature and worth as the years advance. Because one thing that is certain in the sports arena: there are no short cuts to success. It is a case of building and grinding day by day, step by step and brick by brick to reach dreams and goals. Read on to get to know Kobe.
Athlete: Bio / Stats |
|
| Name & Surname | KOBE NDEBELE |
| Nick Name | KB |
| Date of birth | 27/02/2003 |
| Place of birth | LONDON |
| Current City | JOHANNESBURG |
| Height | 5 FOOT 2 |
| Weight | 5O KG |
| Shoe Size | 8 |
| Club | HAUPT SWIMMING |
| Coach’s Name | STEVE HAUPT |
| Secondary Sport/ sports | RUGBY, SOCCER, HOCKEY, WATER POLO, ATHLETICS, |
| Favorite City | LONDON |
| Favorite Song/ type of music | HIP HOP and R & B |
| Favorite Movie | HOME ALONE – CLASSIC CHILDHOOD MOVIE! |
| School & Grade | ST DAVIDS MARIST INANDA, GRADE 8 |
| Facebook name | FACEBOOK – KOBE NDEBELE |
INTERVIEW
Q: At what age did you start swimming and why?
I STARTED SWIMMING WHEN I WAS 3 YEARS OLD AS I WAS PETRIFIED OF WATER.
Q: Who are you?
KOBE MEANS “DOOR TO GOD”, I AM LAID BACK AND CHILLED, SOMETIMES A BIT TOO MUCH!
Q: Would you like to share some highlights about your sports events so far?
ONE OF MY HIGHLIGHTS WAS COMPETING IN A NATIONAL SWIMMING GALA IN THE UK WHEN I WAS NINE YEARS OLD AGAINST TWELVE YEAR OLDS AND I CAME THIRD IN THE 25 METRE BUTTERFLY AND WON A BRONZE MEDAL.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your home and school life?
I AM AN ONLY CHILD WITH A PET DOG CALLED MILO. SCHOOL LIFE IS BUSY WITH PLENTY OF AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS. ONLY AT THE WEEKENDS DO I GET A CHANCE TO GO ON THE COMPUTER AND RELAX…MAYBE!
Q: Why is it important to try and excel at academics at school?
IT IS IN IMPORTANT TO PUSH YOURSELF AS FAR AS YOU CAN GO IN YOUR ACADEMIC STUDIES AS EDUCATION CAN OPEN MANY OPPORTUNITIES.
Q: What is your favorite food? And who must cook it 🙂?
MY FAVOURITE FOOD IS LASAGNA AND MY GRANDMA MUST COOK IT.
Q: Who is your sports hero? What have you learned from him / her?
MY SPORTS HERO IS MICHAEL PHELPS AND FROM HIM I HAVE LEARNT TO FOCUS ON OVERCOMING ANY CHALLENGES THAT CONFRONT ME.
Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?
“SUCCESS IS NOT FINAL, FAILURE IS NOT FATAL: IT IS THE COURAGE TO CONTINUE THAT COUNTS.” ― Winston S. Churchill
Q: What is your favourite Bible Verse?
“LET ALL THAT YOU DO BE DONE IN LOVE” 1 CORINTHIANS 16:14
Q: What are you grateful for at this point and time?
I AM GRATEFUL FOR HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ATTEND A GOOD SCHOOL AND HAVING SUPPORTIVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Q: What would your message of encouragement to South African and other youth and our nation?
RESPECT YOUR PARENTS, AND NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS.
Thank you so much for taking this interview. We would like to wish you all the best for your sports and academic journey ahead. We look forward to following you as you go from strength to strength. Blessings!
