Aiden Markram, recently named South African Men's Player of the Year, shared memories of his decisive century at Lord's and the significant achievement of the Proteas—their triumph in the World Test Championship (WTC) over Australia.
Aiden Markram, recently named South African Men's Player of the Year, shared memories of his decisive century at Lord's and the significant achievement of the Proteas—their triumph in the World Test Championship (WTC) over Australia.
Markram noted that the historic achievement of the Proteas, who became WTC champions just over a year ago, continues to evoke immense pride in him. In an exclusive interview with IOL after the Cricket South Africa (CSA) awards ceremony in Sandton on Thursday evening, he stated that he regularly reviews highlights from this event.
He emphasized that he was a key figure in the final match against Australia at Lord's, securing the South African team's victory with a magnificent 136 runs in the second innings. Although this century had great personal significance for the 31-year-old athlete, he believes that the moments following the game will stay with him forever.
Markram recalled that for players, the celebrations with friends, family, and teammates are the most valuable. He mentioned that the team put in enormous effort behind the scenes, and achieving success after experiencing difficulties in both baseball and red cricket was incredibly special. Hosting this at Lord's in front of numerous spectators made the week truly fantastic.
Markram's excellent year concluded with receiving the prestigious South African Men's Player of the Year award at the CSA Awards ceremony. Nevertheless, despite deep pride in the personal recognition, he insists that it is never his main driving force. Markram stated that playing cricket for individual awards is wrong, yet he expressed deep gratitude and humility regarding the award received, emphasizing that it should not be taken for granted. Ultimately, he believes it was a wonderful year for the team, which achieved something truly outstanding.
JP Duminy, a former Proteas national player, serves as an ambassador for the charitable organization Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. He actively promotes the idea of using sport as a tool for achieving social change, developing leadership skills, and education.
The Mitchells Plain area, which has existed for 50 years, is known for producing outstanding individuals—a community characterized by resilience, innovation, and the ability to shape the future of Cape Town. One such example is former Proteas batsman JP Duminy.
Jean-Paul Duminy was born and raised in Strandfontein. He came into being in a community shaped during a complex period in South Africa's history. Mitchells Plain, established in the mid-1970s, became home to thousands of families forcibly relocated from other parts of Cape Town under apartheid-era policies. Despite the hardships, this area developed a strong sense of identity, nurturing teachers, entrepreneurs, artists, activists, and sports stars who brought renown to the community far beyond its borders.
Among these people was a young left-handed batsman whose talent led him to the world's most famous cricket grounds. Before he achieved fame in packed stadiums and before television cameras, he was simply a boy from Strandfontein who could not get enough of playing. Duminy's talent quickly emerged, and he progressed through the ranks of Western Province cricket before earning a spot in the South African national team.
Later, this same young man accumulated over 9000 international runs for South Africa, becoming one of the most respected batsmen of his time and proof that big dreams can arise from humble beginnings. Over nearly two decades of professional career, Duminy represented the Proteas in all three formats of the game. Through his elegance and ingenuity at the crease, he became one of South Africa's most reliable middle-order batsmen, gaining recognition for his performances in Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
Before the world knew him as JP Duminy, he was just a local resident of Strandfontein, playing cricket in the streets until dark. He often recalled how matches lasted for hours, with friends trying to play as many overs as possible. These marathon sessions of street cricket became his first cricket academy, shaping the discipline, competitiveness, and love for the game that later defined his career.
Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Mitchells Plain, Duminy shared his thoughts: 'As we celebrate 50 years of Mitchells Plain, this place is deeply woven into our DNA for my extended family and me. It is the lifeblood of our origins, a community that shaped our identity and created lifelong bonds with those around us. Born in Strandfontein and spending several years in Portlands, Mitchells Plain gave our family hope, direction, and a sense of possibility.'
He continued: 'From sport to education, and through many people who have emerged from this area and achieved great success in various fields, I feel immense joy and pride in what this community has produced. I remember my early days playing football and cricket in Steven Ridge, moments that laid the foundation for my journey, and now, years later, I am grateful for the opportunity to help differently through the JP21 foundation.'
Through his foundation, they aim to use cricket as a means of social change, providing youth with opportunities, equipping them with life skills, and helping them believe in a future that surpasses their current circumstances. They are also aware of the real issues still affecting their community, particularly substance abuse and gang violence. These issues require unity, intention, and collective responsibility.
Despite the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, the JP21 foundation continued its work, setting up cricket pitches in schools across Mitchells Plain. After retiring from international cricket, he focused most of his attention on creating opportunities for young cricketers through the JP21 foundation, established in 2015. The organization was founded with a simple yet ambitious goal: to revive school cricket in Mitchells Plain and provide youth access to facilities, training, and organized competitions.
The impact of this work has been substantial. Over the years, the foundation has collaborated with schools, community stakeholders, and corporate sponsors to install cricket pitches and improve facilities throughout Mitchells Plain. In 2023, the foundation noted the installation of the eighth cricket pitch at Woodville Primary School in Woodlands. At that time, the program covered 32 schools and supported an eight-year partnership with PPC Cement to support pitch installations.
The initiative has transformed cricket in many schools. A prime example is Hyacinth Primary School in Lentegure, where the combined efforts of the JP21 foundation, the school board, and community members led to the creation of cricket facilities, including a field, nets, and an irrigation system.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in 2020, Duminy commented on the growth of school cricket in the area. He stated: 'Before we got involved, only four schools played cricket. Now, five years later, 38 schools play cricket. So, we work with over 2000 children a week in our league. It is a true success story to see children playing WP cricket and receiving scholarships. We are very happy with what we have achieved. Five years is a wonderful opportunity for us to reassess ourselves and see what awaits us in the future. We want to ensure every school joins, and we hope to see the next Protea from this community.'
At the heart of the foundation's work is the belief that cricket can teach lessons that extend far beyond the field. Beyond developing young players, the JP21 foundation seeks to empower teachers and coaches. Duminy noted that cricket teaches selflessness, teamwork, supporting others, and working in partnership—in essence, building character.
He added: 'If you think about cricket, you fail more often than you succeed. I think that teaches us great life lessons. Therefore, we use this game of cricket as a medium to teach them in a way that can teach them life skills.' The foundation's success has allowed hundreds of young people to experience organized cricket, many of whom have moved on to club and representative cricket. For Duminy, this program represents an investment in the future of a community that invested in it.
Even after concluding his professional career, his connection to local cricket remains strong. In 2025, he briefly returned to amateur cricket, playing for the Strandfontein Cricket Club and reminding local fans of the talent that first emerged from their area. As an ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Duminy continues to advocate for sport as a tool for social change, leadership, and opportunity.
As Mitchells Plain celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, Duminy's story serves as a powerful example of what can emerge from the streets, schools, and sports fields of this community. His legacy is measured not only by runs scored or matches won, but by the opportunities created for young people who, like him, dare to dream bigger than their circumstances.
