Nine years ago, Hlonela—better known as “Prof”—wandered into a Young Bafana trial while kicking a ball with friends and asked to join. He made the U11 squad that day, and the journey began. His nickname stuck after he cheekily “taught” a German intern some English—“Usually the interns teach us, but that day I was the teacher,” he laughs.
Through YB, Prof earned a full academic scholarship to high school, where he graduated as Head Boy with straight A’s. Today, his hard work continues to pay off: he’s on a full scholarship at Stellenbosch University and lives on campus. He’s pursuing his degree with interests in international business and international relations, staying true to the values that shaped him at YB.
Asked what Young Bafana means to him, Prof says it gives children from disadvantaged backgrounds real hope—and the belief they can build a good life. If he had to sum up his YB experience in one word: “amazing.”
