From Umlazi To The World

The son of a career police officer, 18 year old Apprentice Siyanda ‘Num Num’ Sosibo booted home his first winner at his 20th ride at the Vaal last Thursday.

He tells how every winner will elevate him from the unforgiving streets of Umlazi – South Africa’s fourth largest township after Soweto, Tembisa and Katlehong – in his quest to become a role model for those left behind in the social maelstrom.

The fresh-faced Siyanda rode a perfect race to get the 7-1 JP Two Thousand home for the rampant Paul Peter yard and owner Dominic Peter,  as the shadows lengthened at the Vereeniging track.

In a chat on Monday, he told the Sporting Post that he is still pinching himself, after managing to get on the board so early. He only arrived at the Gauteng Academy a matter of weeks earlier.

A quietly spoken sports fanatic, Siyanda grew up with his two sisters and a brother in Umlazi in the care of his Dad Sibusiso and his doting Grandmother, after his Mom passed away when he was very young. He also has a stepbrother and stepsister, and labels himself ‘the second born’.

According to legend, the name of the sprawling township South West of Durban originates from ‘umlaza’, the Zulu word for the sour acid produced from fermented or sour milk. It is said that when King Shaka was passing through the area, he refused to drink from a local river claiming it had the taste of ‘umlaza’. Hence the name.

Siyanda stresses he is definitely not sour with his upbringing, or badmouthing Umlazi when striving to better himself. To the contrary, he affirms that it is a vibrant community and a place that he will always call home – but unemployment levels have led to serious social issues.

“I’m one of the lucky ones. I am training to be a jockey thanks to a bursary and the generosity of Hollywoodbets. But there are thousands without work. Without a purpose. People sit idle all day. There are no prospects. No real hope. So boredom leads to mischief. No work means no money. Crime is a consequence and it’s so easy to fall into bad ways. I wake up every day and remember where I came from. It’s all the motivation anybody could ever hope for.”

He tells how he was pointed in the direction of the world-renowned SA Jockey Academy by Pure Maths teacher, Mr Fredericks, at his Jacobs alma mater of Fairvale Secondary School. Another graduate of the school is Eric Ngwane, who is now work riding in the UK for Ralph Beckett.

“I was small and was not too smart or particularly bright at school. Mr Fredericks taught Pure Maths – not a subject I ever came near, but he was pushing me to try and become a jockey. I performed well at sport like soccer, cricket and volleyball. In fact I captained the teams. But I definitely wasn’t academically inclined,” he adds modestly.

And ever since he joined the Academy in 2020 – he completed his matric in 2021- his Dad Sibusiso, who is based at the Marianhill SAPS, has been his mentor and inspiration.

“My Dad is my off-course riding master!” he adds with a broad smile as he tells how his every ride gets analysed and feedback and good lessons are drummed in.

“Dad will talk to me after every racemeeting. We discuss and talk about what I did right and did wrong. He is just my number 1 fan!”

Siyanda says that he resides at the Gauteng Academy with Jeff Syster, Joshwin Solomons, Philasande Mxoli and Kaidan Brewer. He loves the environment and the guidance from the more experienced riders and Master, Robert Moore.

Asked to name another inspiration, he doesn’t hesitate. “Mr Paul Peter gave me the chance. I asked him. It took some courage for him to place faith in me and for me to actually ask! He was so kind and encouraging afterwards – I am so proud to have done the job properly!”

Asked to describe the elation of that first win, Siyanda says he will never forget it.

“At the 400m, I thought this could be it. He was going so well. I just kept my cool and an eye on Kyle Strydom and Funky Music on my outside. I dedicated the win to my Dad and my whole family. They are so thrilled about it!”

Siyanda hesitated briefly before telling us how his nickname ‘Num Num’ came about.

“When I first arrived at the SA Jockey Academy, we were being taught about the various pieces of equipment and tack. The numnah is the padding which is placed between a horse’s back and the saddle to prevent chafing. I couldn’t get the word ‘numnah’ right. So Riding Master Mr Nicky Roebuck came up with my nickname. It has sort of stuck. It’s not my favourite. But it’s sort of unique,  I suppose,” he laughs.

Siyanda, who goes to scale at 48kgs, has two rides at Turffontein on Saturday’s ‘Royal Raceday’ – his milestone mount JP Two Thousand again, and Edward Longshanks for Ashley Fortune.

We asked him whether they both had to be included.

“I’m not sure I’m qualified to comment yet. I really can’t wait to ride my next winner – if that helps the public!”