Calvin Nwendamutswu, the Master angler, earns his Protea colours

Date: 12 August 2023 By: Elmon Tshikhudo

“The year 2023 has been incredibly kind to me,” were the jubilant words expressed by master angler Mr Rudzani Calvin Nwendamutswu as he proudly received his Protea Colours at the South African Freshwater Bank Angling Federation (SAFBAF) Awards. The prestigious event took place at the Summer Place Wedding & Conference Venue in Boksburg on Saturday, 29 July.

The SAFBAF Awards ceremony serves as a platform to honour the accomplishments of anglers while also revealing the national teams that will represent South Africa on the international stage. The categories encompass various age groups, including U/13, U/19, Juniors, Seniors, Masters (50 years and older), and Veterans (60 years and older) for both men and women.

Hailing from Tshifudi outside Thohoyandou, Nwendamutswu holds the position of director at the Limpopo Department of Public Works. His journey in the world of angling began during his teenage years, when he sneaked out armed with makeshift tools—an improvised hook made from sharpened wire and a fishing line attached to a reed rod—to catch fish in the local Lundevhe River. This early fascination transformed into a lifelong passion. Around 2015, upon relocating to Polokwane, Nwendamutswu joined the Anguilla Fishing Club. In 2019, he became a member of the LaBeouf Fishing Club, which initially consisted solely of white members.

Nwendamutswu’s remarkable achievements culminated in his selection to represent South Africa in Namibia this November. Overwhelmed with excitement, he shared his thoughts, saying, “Obtaining one’s Protea Colours is the ultimate goal for any angler; achieving this status is a significant accomplishment. Representing your country on the international stage is a dream come true for any athlete. It fills me with immense pride to reach this level and have the privilege of representing my nation in Namibia. This honour also brings a sense of responsibility to perform exceptionally well, as I can’t afford to let down my country. All in all, this year has been extraordinarily rewarding, and I eagerly anticipate more positive experiences ahead.”

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Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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