Meet the faces behind Kei Cricket

Back Row: (L-R) Lwando Mandzondzo: (Head Groundsman) followed by  Mawande Ntshinga: (Head Hub Coach) Onke Mampofu: (Head Coach: Senior Women's and U/19 girls)  Joshua Mandiwona: (Club and facilities Coordinator/ Stadium Manager)  Joseph Ngqasa: (Mini Cricket Coordinator/Acting Youth and Schools Coordinator) Front row: (L-R) Phinda Nquma : (Facilities Support Assistant) Dumisa Makalima: (General Manager and Cricket Services Manager of Kei Cricket) Lulama Nyamela: Office Administrator & Bookkeeper Lusanda Mbunye: (Media & Marketing) Lastly (Absent) Vuyo Gabela (Hub Assistant Coach) and Lihle Mahlanyana: (Hub Assistant Coach)

Dumisa Makalima is the General Manager and Cricket Services Manager of Kei Cricket, bringing a wealth of experience as a former professional cricketer, high-performance coach, and cricket administrator. An Eastern Cape native, he enjoyed a distinguished playing career representing Border, Eastern Province, the Warriors, and the Lions, and was part of South Africa’s U19 setup, including participation in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2001. He was also a member of the Highveld Lions squad that won the Ram Slam T20 title in the 2006/07 season.

Following his playing career, Makalima established himself in high-performance coaching and analysis, holding a CSA Level 3 Coaching qualification. He served in key roles with the Highveld Lions as Assistant Coach, Video Analyst, and Fielding Coach during a period of multiple domestic title successes. He also contributed to the Proteas Women’s team during the ICC T20 World Cup in 2012 in Sri Lanka as the Video Analyst. His coaching journey further includes serving as Head Coach of the University of Johannesburg (2017–2021) and Head Coach of the Limpopo Impalas Cricket Team (2021–2023). He was also involved within national university structures (USSA in 2018 & 2019), achieving consistent competitive success.

In cricket administration, Makalima served as Cricket Services Manager at Border Cricket from 2024 to 2026 and is currently at Kei Cricket, where he oversees both strategic direction and cricket operations. He also contributes at a national level as a CSA Hub Selector.

Widely respected for his leadership, strong stakeholder engagement, and commitment to transformation, Makalima remains deeply passionate about advancing cricket development and creating sustainable pathways for emerging talent across all levels of the game.

A dedicated pillar of Kei Cricket since 2015, Lulama Nyamela brings structure, reliability, and excellence to the organisation. Holding a Diploma in Accounting and highly proficient in MS Office, she ensures smooth administrative operations behind the scenes. Known for her organisation and commitment, Lulama believes in continuous learning and growth, while valuing family and faith at the core of her life.

Ngqasa Thabani Joseph is the KFC Mini Cricket Coordinator and Acting Youth & Schools Coordinator at Kei Cricket. With over 20 years of involvement in cricket, he is passionate about developing young players and growing grassroots cricket in the Kei region. Through the KFC Mini Cricket programme, he works with schools and communities to introduce children to the sport and create pathways for youth development.

Mawande Ntshinga, a former provincial player and CSA Level 2 certified coach, leads Kei Cricket’s hub system. His playing career includes U17 Rural Week representation, USSA first XI for Tshwane University of Technology, and Kei Senior Provincial team selection.

He has coached at national youth level, including the Khaya Majola Week, CSA Hub Challenge, U16 CSA National Week, and U13 Boys Regional Week. Mawande is passionate about developing young cricketers and fostering long-term growth in the former Transkei region. 🏏

Thembalihle Mahlanyana is a Level 2 cricket coach currently working with the Kei Under-16 boys team. His cricket journey began in 2007 at the age of 13, progressing through the Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 levels. He started coaching in 2018 and has served as a Hub Coach, focusing on youth development. In 2025, he coached at the Under-17 Boys Week, continuing his commitment to developing young cricket talent. 🏏

Vuyo Gabela is the Hub Assistant Coach at Kei Cricket, working closely with Nomandi Cricket Club to develop players from mini cricket to senior level for both men and women. He also served as Assistant Coach for the Kei Under-16 Boys Provincial Team at the CSA National Week in Paarl (2025). Vuyo is passionate about youth development and believes that hard work beats talent when talent is neglected. 🏏

Joshua Claton Mandiwona is the Club & Facilities Coordinator/ Stadium Manager at Kei Cricket, a role he has held since 2022. His journey with the club began in 2012 when he joined as a player, and over the years he has also served as a captain and coach.

Joshua is passionate about developing talent and takes pride in seeing players grow within the Kei Cricket system. His dedication continues both on and off the field, helping ensure the club remains a strong and thriving home for cricket in the region. 🏏

Mampofu Onke is the Head Coach of the Women’s and U/19 Girls teams at Kei Cricket. His cricket journey began in 1995 through Bakers Mini Cricket, and he progressed through the Kei Cricket development pathway, representing the union at U/13, U/15, U/17, and U/19 levels before playing for the Kei Senior Men’s team.

He began his coaching career in 2019 as a Hub Head Coach, focusing on grassroots development and talent identification. Since then, he has taken on leadership roles within the women’s pathway and currently leads the Kei Cricket Women and U/19 Girls teams, where he is committed to developing young talent and strengthening women’s cricket in the region. 🏏

Since joining the team in 2023, Lwando has been a cornerstone of our operations, ensuring our facilities and playing surfaces meet the highest standards. His dedication, consistency, and pride in his work keep our grounds match-ready at all times, playing a crucial role in the success and professionalism of Kei Cricket.

Phinda joined the team in 2025 and has quickly established herself as a reliable and valued member of the organisation. As a dedicated Facilities Support Assistant, she plays a vital role in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. She takes great pride in her work, consistently contributing to the organisation’s daily standards of excellence.

Lusanda Mbunye joined Kei Cricket in 2025 through the National Youth Service Programme, where she initially served as an NYS Administrator. After recognising a gap in community awareness and communication around cricket development, she transitioned into the Media and Marketing space. Lusanda studied Public Relations and Communication Management at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and now focuses on sharing the stories, impact, and growth of cricket across the Kei region while helping strengthen the organisation’s public presence. 🏏✨

At the heart of Kei Cricket are the dedicated Match Officials who ensure that every game is played fairly, recorded accurately, and conducted with professionalism. This vital group is made up of two key pillars: Umpires and Scorers.
Together, they uphold the integrity of the game—umpires managing the action on the field through the application of the Laws of Cricket, and scorers capturing every detail off the field with precision and accuracy.
The Role of Match Officials
Match Officials play an essential role in the successful delivery of all Kei Cricket activities by:
Ensuring that matches are played within the Laws and Spirit of Cricket
Maintaining fairness, discipline, and respect on and off the field
Accurately recording and preserving match data and statistics
Supporting smooth match-day operations through coordination and communication
Providing structure and professionalism across all competitions

Umpires & Scorers Working Together
The strength of Kei Cricket lies in the collaboration between its officials. Umpires and scorers work closely throughout each match to ensure that decisions, records, and outcomes are aligned and reliable.
This partnership guarantees that every result is credible, every performance is recognised, and every match contributes meaningfully to the growth of cricket within the Kei region.
Commitment to Excellence

Both the Kei Umpires Association and the Kei Scorers Association are committed to continuous development, high standards, and the growth of match officiating. Through training, mentorship, and structured support, they continue to build a strong, professional foundation for the future of Kei Cricket.

A passionate and dedicated contributor to cricket development, Aluta Mkhohliwe joined the Kei Cricket family in 2015 and has since played a vital role in growing the game at both grassroots and provincial levels.

She is a certified Mini Cricket and Level 1 coach, actively serving as both a coach and secretary of Tabase Local Cricket Club. Through her leadership, she has been instrumental in developing players from Mini Cricket through to senior level, helping to build a strong and sustainable cricket pipeline.

Aluta began her journey in scoring in 2020 and has since become a certified scorer, contributing significantly to the accuracy and professionalism of the game. She currently serves as the Scorers Chairperson, playing a key role in the administration and development of scoring within Kei Cricket.

Her commitment extends beyond coaching and scoring, as she currently serves as the Team Manager for the Kei Women’s Provincial Team, ensuring smooth operations and strong support for athletes at a competitive level. She has also previously taken on the role of Team Leader within the NYS Programme, demonstrating her ability to lead and mentor both players and peers.

Further strengthening her all-round expertise, she recently obtained her Level 1 umpiring certificate, highlighting her deep understanding of the game across multiple facets.

Her journey reflects a deep passion for cricket, leadership, and community development, making her an invaluable asset to the Kei Cricket structure.