It is very rare that one gets caught on the backfoot when conducting an interview – especially one via whatsapp.
However, one does occasionally encounter these odd situations where one has to ‘surrender’ the upper hand and just go with the flow – and not take things too personal – like with my recent interview with the experienced midfielder of the Magic Ladies Jamie Witbooi (pictured with ball).
I can now with certainty vouch that the 28- year-old ‘Jama’, as Witbooi is known, is quite a tough cookie – on and off the field. It is safe to say that the former central midfielder from Trinitarians FC makes her presence known and felt – especially in the engine room where she conducts her ‘bread and butter’.
Like the ‘General-role’ that she plays – a pivotal one, the Iink between defence and attack, and this with a no-nonsense approach. Just like she did during her interview with No Bones with Jones.
So, I basically wanted to get Witbooi’s take on how determined and committed they are this season to possibly go all the way after Magic fell short in the Coke Cup as well as the league campaign last season… to which Witbooi replied. “Firstly, with all due respect, I don’t like the way you presented the question, maybe you should phrase it differently…
“But I am extremely excited for this season and the goal is to go all the way as it is every season,” Witbooi replied. “I understand what you are trying to say but I don’t think the team falling short in the playoffs is a fair judgement of my commitment at all.
“I have always been extremely committed to any team that I have joined and tried to give my best but I can’t be accountable for all the shortcomings. We are an entire team that we all feel the losses as much as the wins. I do however feel that we’ve had a rather dominating season in our stream last year and we intend on dominating this year again,” Witbooi added.
The Magic, under their former mentor George Dearnaley, have in a short space of time established themselves as one of powerhouses in the Sasol Women’s League in the Mother City and it will only be a matter of time before they achieve their maiden success.
This expectation has now fallen on Dearnaley’s successor Winston Zeederberg to break their duck in the upcoming campaign.
And as the conversation with the ‘General’ flowed, Witbooi loosened up a bit and became more comfortable reflecting on her personal journey as well.
The former Ravensmead High pupil, who studied education at both the University of Free State and the University of the Western Cape, is also well-travelled.
Needless to say, she is enjoying a decent career thus far on her return to Cape Town after her time as a professional player at TS Galaxy, not forgetting her stint abroad in Iceland in 2018.
Witbooi also has four caps for Banyana Banyana as well as a few more with the under-20 national side. Despite achieving what very few women players from Cape Town can claim, Witbooi feels that she has some unfinished business in Europe and would not mind a second bite of the cherry in Iceland.
“Yes, I wouldn’t mind as I will be better prepared this time round,” Witbooi further explained. “When I went the first time I battled with the conditions as it is extremely cold. It took me a few months to adapt to the weather which I couldn’t cope with.
“Football itself is much more developed on that side and players are physically much stronger than us from South Africa. The level of football is very much different and higher on that side as well and we can really learn from even the smaller countries in Europe,” she added.
Witbooi now has her sights firmly set on success with Magic Ladies which will then allow her, if all goes well, to seek greener pastures abroad and to fulfil her desires.
Witbooi’s advice to young aspiring footballers is: “Just work hard and remain humble, let your hard work speak for you and stay disciplined. Always do your best and remember that any goal is very attainable.
“Believe in yourself and never give up. It doesn’t matter how hard or difficult things get if you keep working hard and never give up, it will work out in the end,” Witbooi concluded.
