Temba Bavuma’s first involvement with cricket was with a homemade bat fashioned out of wood and playing with a tape ball in the streets of the Cape Town township of Langa.
Some of the strongest resistance to apartheid was fomented in Langa so it was fitting that this cricketing barrier fell at the cricketing blade of one of its former residents.
For not only did Bavuma make history but he also disproved in swashbuckling style that his selection was just tokenism and to fill a colour quota handed down by the government.
Temba Bavuma hits out on the way to his century
As England acknowledged after play, Bavuma can bat and South African cricket will hope his emergence will inspire many others to believe they too can make it in the sport.
“When I made my debut for South Africa I came to be a bit more aware and realise the significant behind it,” he said. “It was not just about me making my debut for South Africa but almost being a model and inspiration for other black kids. Achieving this milestone will strengthen that example.
“I looked at the kids here today for the KFC event during lunchtime (cricket matches on the outfield) and half of those kids come from Langa and most of those kids know my name so whenever I go back to Langa now I know I am going to have those kids running around me. There is a greater significance around this and a lot of pressure but it is international cricket and that comes with a lot of pressure anyway.”
Bavuma is congratulated by Ben Stokes
Langa is one of the oldest townships in South Africa and Bavuma’s cricket club has a rich history. Langa Cricket Club was founded in 1976 by white philanthropist John Passmore at the height of the apartheid era. He was called ‘kaffirboetie’ (black lover) by the whites but respected by those he helped in the township as he realised his ream of promoting cricket in the area.
One story goes that when he drove into the township in the middle of a revolt during the country’s state of emergency in 1985, his car was surrounded by an angry mob. When he asked them what they wanted they said 'Mr Passmore, please find us some more cricket bats.’
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Langa also had its troubles. It was at the centre of political controversy in the 1980s when along with Avondale, a coloured club, it was incorporated into the white league.
The club defended itself against criticisms by arguing the black South African cricket board had limited funds so it had to take the offer to play in the white Cape Town league to survive and grow.
The diminutive Bavuma celebrates making his century
These days Bavuma’s uncles retain strong links to the club which has youth teams from under nines and holds a weekly cricket festival at which Gary Kirsten has coached.
Bavuma was spotted early on for his talent but moved away to Johannesburg when his father, a journalist, got a job on a different newspaper. Bavuma moved to Soweto Cricket Club to continue his cricketing education making it into the South African schools under-19s and then through provincial level before a first-class debut in 2008.
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His father was at the ground yesterday showing the agony felt by many around the country as he moved closer to three figures.
“When I reached 80 it felt like I was on nought again. Stuart Broad was bowling and I found him quite tough,” said Bavuma. “I thought to myself if I don’t get to that milestone then maybe it was just not meant to be but it was quite a long time and I just tried to take it ball by ball and luckily at the end it came through for me. I have been yearning for it and fighting for it. I am not sure about the reaction form the public but for me it is just satisfaction and relief.”
Loots Bosman was black batsman who played Twenty20 and one-day cricket for South Africa while wicket-keeper Thami Tsolekile, who lived on the same street in Langa as Bavuma, played three Tests a decade ago.
They all helped pave the way for Bavuma who is now the new poster boy of South African cricket. “I was born in cape town this is where I Learned cricket and the passion grew here. To achieve this milestone at my favourite ground in the world makes it more special.”
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