Never be intimidated by others – former netball star Zuzu Mieze

It was always a case of practice making perfect for former Civics and junior national netball team goal-attack Uazua ‘Zuzu’ Mieze.

The retired star was born at Otjiwarongo, then went to live with her grandmother at the Okamatapati settlement in the Otjozondjupa region, before moving to Grootfontein where she attended primary school until Grade 3.

It was only after she moved to Tsumeb with her parents that eight-year-old Mieze started to play netball for the former Afrikaans Medium Primary School.

“I used to idolise former national team star Tjatjinda ‘Toetsi’ Kambatuku-Tjihero back in the day and it was always my dream to play like her. Little did I know I will play with her at Civics after she returns from her stint in England,” explains Mieze.

“I was absolutely in awe of Tjatjinda mostly because of the discipline and determination she showed on the netball court. She was one player that gave 120% for her team and she really played her lungs out for both the club and country. She was just the ultimate netball star.”

Mieze only began taking netball seriously when she came to Windhoek, where she was fortunate to find herself playing alongside some of the country’s top players at the star-studded Civics senior level.

But before Civics, she made a huge impression on the junior national team selectors.

“My game was characterised by speed and agility. I was on top of the sport tactically while I was also stylish. I was the type of player you would always recognise on the netball court because I was an absolute fighter,” she says.

“I fought for my team so much that I would sometimes step out of line and I always left my position to be in areas that I am not supposed to be. My aim when I was on the court was to try and win every ball within my reach and I never complained when the chips were down.”

Mieze was first selected for the under-13 team that represented Namibia in a tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa, and her second national team call-up was for the under-15 side. She was also part of the under-17 team that toured South Africa.

“The real enjoyment and tough competition was with the under-19 team that competed in the Ball Games. I was lucky to have been in a very competitive team. Those girls were determined and we didn’t fear any team coming our way,” Mieze says.

“I can proudly declare today that our under-19 team at the All Ages Netball Championships in South Africa in 2009 was not only strong but we will also go down in history books of the Namibia Schools Sport Union as the first team that defeated South Africa.”

Mieze, who played for the under-21 national team, did not only excel on the netball court, she also burned the athletics track at school.She dominated the 100m, 200m and long jump at school, but her success was confined to that level as she struggled to qualify for nationals at the zonal competitions. However, what Mieze lacked on the athletics track, she more than made up for on the netball court, where she excelled in the wing-attack position.

Explains Mieze: “Losing was just not in my DNA. There were times with Civics that we would only limit our opponents to register three or four points in a game. That is how ruthless my teammates were. There was also a season that we finished unbeaten.

“I won almost everything that was at stake in Namibian netball with the mighty Civilians. Apart from winning, we were also named best netball team, which just tells you how much effort we put into our game under the best coach ever, Anita Ndjaronguru.

“Civics was a mean machine. It was no ordinary netball team – it became a sisterhood. It was like an instition where you learn and grow. At Civics the players didn’t mess with a ball. We made almost every attack count. We were almost perfect with a strong winning mentality.”

Like many athletes, Mieze has her career regrets, with the biggest being her inability to continue playing netball after giving birth to her first child.

“I wanted to be with my baby in every process of his life, which made me quit the game prematurely. It was always my dream to keep on playing, get a scholarship like Tjatjinda and go study and play abroad,” she says.

“My dream destination was always New Zealand because I was a die-hard fan of the Silver Ferns. I just admired how they simplified the way netball should be played. Their defending was top drawer and they had one of the most perfect attacks. Every shooting opportunity was a goal.”

Now a mother of two boys, Mieze is employed by the National Heritage Council and her duty post is at the Heroes Acre.

“We are responsible for taking care of and ensuring that everything is in place and clean before the tourists visit. I must say I am enjoying every moment I am spending here because I consider myself a responsible citizen working for my country,” she says.

“The only challenge I faced being at this place was when I had to leave my boys at home to undergo a six-month training at Brandberg. Those were the most challenging six months of my life in 2023 because I felt that I was neglecting my boys.”

The retired star says she was more than happy with her achievements as a player because, although she never played for the senior national team, she had the opportunity to represent her country at all junior levels and she left a clean name behind.

After Civics, she joined Wanderers together with her other teammates, which was another fighting team. They had a high fitness philosophy and they fought until the end.

“Wanderers had a never-say-die attitude and, while I admired their disciplinary ethics the most, they also had a diverse cultural philosophy which made every single player feel accepted and appreciated for their contributions to the club,” Mieze explains.

She mentions former New Zealand national team goalshooter Maria Tutaia-Folau as the person with the biggest influence on her career internationally, while Kambatuku-Tjihero was her biggest inspiration locally.

Mieze, who misses the tough fitness training sessions the most, urges today’s players to be determined and never underestimate their God-given talent.

“You have to be confident when you step on the netball court and not be intimidated by others because you are on the court for the same purpose and remember that teamwork is key,” she advises.

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