For most athletes, the final whistle of their playing career brings a daunting question: What next? But for former SPAR Proteas captain Bongiwe Msomi, the end of her on-court journey was simply the beginning of her next chapter in national sports leadership.
Recently appointed as Team South Africa’s Chef de Mission for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Msomi is proving that a career in sport doesn’t end when you hang up your sneakers, it evolves.
In a recent interview with Sport South Africa, Msomi admitted the appointment caught her off guard.
“I really thought I was done with the Commonwealth Games,” Msomi shared. “I was shocked that I got the position… but I always thought playing experience is never enough if you want to be a powerful woman in sports. I really think the work I put in is quite enough to put my foot down where it’s needed.”
The 24-Hour Hustle: Upskilling Off the Court
Msomi’s transition from a player with 171 caps to the head of the national delegation didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of calculated, long-term planning that began years before her retirement in 2023. While still competing at the highest international levels, she was quietly laying the groundwork for her future.
“I sometimes think 24 hours in a day is not really enough for me,” she joked. “When I stopped playing netball, I decided I’m going to upskill myself in terms of leadership. I had opportunities that I said no to because I really wanted to be Bongi apart from being a netball player.”
That meant hitting the books. Msomi is currently pursuing her Honours in Sports Management, in 2024 she graduated from the SuperSport Industry Leaders Program 2.0, and in 2026 she graduated with an advanced diploma in business management at the University of Johannesburg. She also secured her Level 3 coaching qualifications while still active on the national squad.
“Experiences on court doesn’t mean I must stop myself from learning,” she noted. “If I get an opportunity to get out there and get a career out of my experiences as a player… do you have a qualification in terms of paper? I take pride in that.”
Leading the Next Generation in Glasgow
As she prepares to lead Team South Africa to Scotland, Msomi is bringing the same leadership style that defined her tenure as national captain: respect, unity, and an expectation of absolute effort.
“If we go as a country to represent South Africa abroad, we want to be as united as possible,” she explained. “I always say to the young kids… you don’t want to lose an opportunity of giving it your all at a time when you have an opportunity, and then later looking back and thinking I could have done more.”
For the athletes currently wearing the green and gold, Msomi’s journey offers a blueprint for the future. Her advice to those currently competing on the global stage is blunt but necessary.
“Sport is a short-term career,” she warned. “Whilst it’s still doable, what are you doing now to prepare for that future? It cannot just be you’re doing your sports now.”
Whether she’s guiding the national delegation in Glasgow or shaping the next generation through her BM Legacy Project, Bongiwe Msomi’s influence on South African sport continues to grow. She may have stepped off the court, but she is still very much in the game.
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