Razeen Gutta
South African women’s rugby player Lusanda Dumke won a car at the Eastern Cape Sports Awards, but plans to exchange it for a house for her and her family.
The Border Rugby captain was awarded the 2021 Sportswoman of the Year and Sports Star of the Year last week, with a VW Polo courtesy of Joma Sports SA being one of the prizes.
The 25-year-old, however, turned down the vehicle, saying that a house for her family was more of a priority at this point in time.
“In this case, I had to prioritise. Of course we do need a car, but building the house for my family was the main priority.
“It is not the right time for me to have a car while we are staying in a shack,” she told SunSport.
“I live with my 85-year-old bedridden grandmother and partly-disabled 51-year-old aunt, due to a stroke in 2016.”
Dumke’s father passed away before she was born and she lost her mother at the age of 12. She lives in an informal settlement outside Gqeberha.
She is currently with the Springboks side preparing for the Rugby World Cup Sevens which takes place in Cape Town next weekend.
Image Source: @SARugby
