Matatiele coach lands Telkom Netball League role as local talent steps up

Matatiele Local Municipality says one of the town’s own has been chosen for a major coaching role in South African netball.

In a statement, the municipality said Prisca Kanetsi-Makamole of Matatiele Netball Club will coach Comets, an Eastern Cape team competing in this season’s Telkom Netball League. The league is set to start on 24 May.

The municipality described the appointment as a sign of the leadership being developed in local sport structures. It also praised Matatiele Netball Club, also known as Matat NC, saying the club has won the Mayoral Cup more than four times.

The statement also highlights former Mayoral Cup participant Princess Kanetsi, who is expected to play for Eastern Cape Aloes when the new league season begins. The municipality says her progress shows how local competitions can open the door to higher-level sport.

These claims were made by the municipality. This has not been confirmed independently.

For Matatiele, the significance goes beyond one coaching appointment or one player’s rise. The municipality is positioning the Mayoral Cup as a pathway for young athletes, especially girls in local communities, to be seen, tested and developed.

That matters in a town where local tournaments often carry the burden of talent identification, community pride and youth opportunity. When athletes and coaches move from municipal competitions into provincial or national structures, it gives fresh weight to investment in community sport.

The next step will be the Telkom Netball League season itself. That is where readers will be able to judge how far this local talent pipeline is reaching and whether more players from Matatiele can follow.

Pondoland Times will seek independent confirmation from the teams and league organisers, and more detail on the appointments and player selections.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.