SHE PUSHED HERSELF TO POOL IT OFF

By Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane

• Starting as a casual player in 2017, Sendra Bulunga never imagined she’d represent South Africa in pool. Her recent selection to the Protea team and top player award at the South African Blackball Championships mark significant milestones in her journey.
• As a black woman in a sport often viewed as a pastime rather than a serious athletic pursuit, Sendra aims to challenge stereotypes, increase accessibility, and create a pool club within the Department of Social Development to encourage more participation.
• Despite financial challenges and underlying racism in the sport, Sendra’s ambition to become a world-class player drives her forward, as she prepares for the 2025 England tour and continues to inspire others with her dedication and resilience.

When Sendra Bulunga started playing pool in 2017, she never imagined she would one day represent South Africa in the sport. In July 2024, she was selected to join the Protea team heading to England in 2025. Her exceptional performance as a Gauteng representative at the South African Blackball Championships earned her the top player accolade, marking a significant achievement in her pool career.

At 35 years old, Sendra works as an Organisational Design and Human Resource Planning specialist at the National Department of Social Development (NDSD), where she has been employed since 2014. Despite her professional commitments, she has always had a passion for sport. However, pool is often perceived more as a hobby than a legitimate sporting code, typically enjoyed as a casual activity at social gatherings.

“I have always loved participating in sport. Coming from a sporting family made it easier for me. I played netball at university and made it to the first team. After university, I didn’t know which sport I could fit into,” she says. It wasn’t until she saw men in her hometown of Kabokweni, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, playing pool that she became interested in trying it herself.

The game of pool, also known as the Noble Game of Billiards, dates back to the 15th century and has evolved significantly from its beginnings as an outdoor sport in the 1600s. The version known as eight-ball, in which Sendra excels, was developed in the early 1900s.

“My late father played golf and was very good at it. Even after his passing, he continues to influence my love for sport. I’ve also met and competed against Tasmeen Solomons over the past few years. We’ve become friends through pool, and I greatly admire her skills,” says Sendra, referring to the current World Eightball Pool Federation Pool Women’s Singles Champion—the first South African woman to hold this title.

While the Blackball Championship accolade is a significant achievement, it’s not Sendra’s only goal. She is determined to make pool more accessible, though she doesn’t practice as much as she would like. As a member of the Legends Pool Club in Gezina, Tshwane, she trains two to three times a week.

“My wish is to start a pool club or team at the Department of Social Development, so we can be represented like the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other entities, and compete at interdepartmental and provincial levels. There aren’t many black women playing pool, especially under Gauteng North, where we face underlying racism that often pressures me to prove my capabilities,” she says.

Despite these challenges, Sendra remains undeterred and believes that pool, like any other sport, can empower women. “Believe in yourself and have faith. Work hard and practice, practice, practice. Nothing is impossible. This recognition confirms that all my hard work and perseverance are paying off. Sacrificing time and sometimes shedding tears has helped me grow as a person and a stronger opponent. This sport motivates me to work even harder in both my career and in pool. My ultimate dream is to become a world-class pool player and win international and national events,” she says, noting that the financial demands of the sport are significant but won’t discourage her.

“The 2025 England tour, for which I qualified as a Protea player, will cost a lot of money. I need to raise at least R50,000 for this session alone. Then, there are two annual tournaments, usually hosted outside Pretoria, where I live. This year, I had to travel to Cape Town for two tournaments—the South African Blackball Federation (SABF) and the Gauteng North 8 Ball Pool Association (GNPA 8 Ball). The clubs only cover a portion of the expenses. Sponsorships would greatly enhance my performance and overall experience in the sport,” she concludes, not without offering words of wisdom for Women’s Month.

“To be a number one player requires faith, strong character, humanity, perseverance, and faith. Observe, learn, and keep going.”