What A Way For Sifiso To End 2024!

Sunday 29 December 2024 is a day that SA Jockey Academy apprentice Sifisokuhle ‘Ncale’ Bungane will cherish forever.

The 22 year old, who grew up with bleak prospects in KwaMashu and Indanda, had just reached an important milestone in his chosen profession.

Partnering the World Sports Betting owned Wings Of Josephine for the Glen Kotzen yard, Sifiso was always out front and made all the running  in the 1100m contest and was looking around for dangers a long way out. Well-backed favourite Are You Sure tried to keep pace but through the final furlong it was clearly a forlorn chase.

Talking to the Sporting Post afterwards, Sifiso, or ‘Ncwane’ as he is known affectionately to his close friends as a result of his love for gospel music, said that having his Mom Phatheka, a chef at the popular Durban View Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville there to lead him in for his first win, was ‘very special’.

We asked him why he had not gone for the crop in the final stages of the race.

“She felt like she was giving me her all and had I pulled the whip I ran the risk of becoming unbalanced. So I rode with the hands confidently. It’s difficult to describe the moment one hits the line! I think I’m going to watch the replay a few times over!” he laughs.

Sifiso’s personal story is an amazing one and he tells that while growing up, his family relied on his grandmother’s pension to make ends meet, and they managed to get by without going to bed hungry. At the age of 13, he moved to live with his mother in Inanda, where it was just the two of them.

While he harboured dreams of becoming a Cardiologist, Sifiso ended up working as a waiter at Hollywoodbets Greyville through his Mom’s existing connection there.

He was happy to be earning a living, but constantly had customers and his colleagues encouraging him to take advantage of his slight stature – he weighs only 50kgs – and try and become a jockey.

He tells how he visited the SAJA website and made enquiries. But funding was an issue.

Ultimately, Sifiso’s pursuit of his dreams was made possible through the support of the Hollywood Foundation. With his mother’s financial constraints, the foundation granted him a bursary for his first year of training, providing financial relief and making his dream a reality.

“I applied for the bursary as my mom could not pay the fees. At the time, we had not even been able to pay the enrolment fee at SAJA, and I was very worried that I would not be able to continue. I am thankful to them for giving me a chance to pursue my dreams,” Sifiso added.

Having never even sat on a horse previously, he joined the academy on 9 January 2023 and has never looked back, loving every moment of his experience.

Outside of the track, he enjoys various hobbies, including soccer, chess, singing, and reading non-fiction.

Looking ahead, Sifiso dreams of becoming a multiple-time Champion Jockey in South Africa and racing in other countries. He believes that confidence, the ability to perform under pressure, effective communication with horses, and unwavering focus are key characteristics of a champion jockey.

Sifiso’s role model is Calvin Habib, and he is passionate about helping those who are less fortunate. He recognises the challenges many youth face today, including limited job opportunities, involvement in substance abuse, and educational obstacles.

To aspiring youth, he advises, “Make sure it’s a career you really love and be willing to work hard to achieve your goals.”

Looking back he has made good friends with the likes of Cole Dicken, Sphe Hlengwe and Jabu Jacobs and his prospects have brightened considerably.

“I have to thank the Hollywood Foundation for making this happen, and the SA Jockey Academy staff, including my riding masters Messrs Roebuck, Agrella and Ball, for their patience and interest in coaching me. I intend to make them all proud.”