A Letter to My Young Self: Sinalo Jafta

A Letter to My Young Self

Dear Sinalo

When I think of you, my younger self, I think about looking at the world with eyes of naivety, the innocence in your outlook of life is going to guide you into opening doors that you thought where never possible. Accept the fact that your sister left for a reason, and she is the angel that is going to guide you, allow yourself to heal, and understand that it’s just the beginning. Love and protect your brother because he is the engine behind what you do.   

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”

– Winston Churchill

Allow yourself to learn, and be very patient in your journey of becoming a sportswoman. Do not let the factors of not having your father around be the reason for slowing you down in being a professional athlete. Live each day and embrace every opportunity and use it as a catalyst of not only being the best athlete, but also the most humble and respectful human being.

It is okay to show emotion when you feel like you do not have anyone in your corner, look around, listen to your heart. Remember when the skies are grey, the rainbow is just around the corner. People will enter and leave your life, remember to always learn from them, the day you stop wanting to learn is the day you should consider a different pathway.

There will come a time whereby you will be terrified of disappointing people, it’s okay, they will understand that is not your journey in life. Do not prolong something and let another opportunity squander in the hopes of not disappointing someone. If you want to scream at the world, scream. If you want to cry, let them overflow. The road is about to get lonely, just remember the people you need in your life are around the corner, the skies are just a little grey.

Before I forget, tell your mother you want to be an athlete, because she will understand if you sit her down. Show her your vision through your eyes and you will see her determination to get you there. She loves you and will go through anything to get you there.

As I sit on this couch and write this to you, WE are on the right pathway to succeed what we have always dreamt about. The jitters you feel now, I still feel them. The smile when you get when you watch cricket, I still have it, but the only difference, I am watching us.

Remember your failures are just lessons and they will guide you towards me.

You are me, and I am you. Embrace that Majola

Yours Loving

Sinalo Jafta