Khayelitsha’s baseball dream lives on through Onwabile Gxalaba

A Khayelitsha baseball development club is making its mark beyond Cape Town this week, as one of its youngest players competes in the African Rising Stars Women Baseball Series in Uganda.

Cape Town continues to lead the way in baseball development in South Africa, with that influence increasingly evident in the women’s game. Much of this progress is driven by development clubs, particularly those based in townships, where limited resources have not dampened ambition.

For many clubs, the lack of professional recognition for baseball in South Africa remains a major challenge, with players often required to self-fund their participation.

For sides like Khayelitsha Giants, resources remain a constant stumbling block, but that has not stopped the club from creating opportunities for young players to showcase their talent.

Instead, the focus has remained firmly on development, exposure, and giving youngsters a chance to dream beyond their surroundings.

One such example is 14-year-old Onwabile Gxalaba from Khayelitsha.

In just three years of playing baseball, she has already reached a major milestone by donning South African colours in Uganda.

Gxalaba, who turns out for the Giants, is currently part of the SA Under-15 side competing against Uganda.

The seven-match series is viewed as an important step in advancing women’s baseball on the continent and is scheduled to take place over three days, from Wednesday, January 7 to Friday January 10.

For Gxalaba, the tour represents both a personal achievement and a reflection of the work being done at the grassroots level.

She is also one of the founding players of Khayelitsha Giants, having been part of the club since its establishment three years ago. Her steady rise has not gone unnoticed.

Giants coach Marshall Saniso has spoken highly of the young talent who has been a member of the Western Province setup for the past two years.

“She is a very determined and hardworking player and a true role model for other young girls in the township who want to play baseball,” said Saniso.