Mikhlali Baleka shared his personal travel experiences, emphasizing that he never intentionally allows his luggage to arrive before him. He explains that for people from the Nguni tribe, especially Black people, it is traditionally considered an ill omen for luggage to arrive without its owner, symbolizing death.
Since the early 2000s, when he started attending boarding school, he always made sure his bags were in sight. However, when he started flying, he understood the need to be flexible, as there was a high probability that he might arrive without his luggage.
His concerns materialized in 2019 when he landed at Or Tambo Airport, Africa's busiest hub, without his luggage. To his surprise, the baggage claim counter informed him that his belongings were still at Heathrow Airport in London. Being young and carefree, he didn't give it much thought; he was promised that the luggage would arrive on the next flight, and he received it undamaged.
In 2023, he took a second international trip accompanying the Banyana Banyana team to Australasia—New Zealand and Australia—for their second consecutive World Cup appearance, thanks to their main sponsor, Sasol. His route included a flight from Or Tambo to New Zealand with a stopover in Sydney, Australia. To his surprise, upon arrival in New Zealand, his bag was left in Sydney. He was told the same story as four years ago: 'Your luggage is safe and will be sent on the next flight,' and he received it intact again.
Becoming wiser, his superstitious side began to wonder why his luggage was constantly delayed, although he couldn't find a clear answer. Nevertheless, after the initial panic, Banyana made the experience worthwhile. They had an impressive campaign at the World Cup, reaching the Round of 16 for the first time in the second attempt.
Baleka notes that he does not claim that the late arrival of his luggage served as the opposite sign of traditional Nguni belief, but he is confident that readers will understand his point. He is currently in Rabat, Morocco, covering Banyana's campaign in the Wafcon playoffs with support from Sasol. What do you think? For the third time in a row, he arrived at his destination without his main luggage—it was left in Or Tambo.
This time, it was his own fault. He had to pack in a hurry due to uncertainty about Banyana's qualification following a shaky group stage performance. In this rush, he accidentally packed a power bank in his checked baggage. When a Qatar Airways agent asked him about dangerous or flammable items, such as power banks, he answered negatively. Minutes before departure, security called him to remove the power bank. Since the flight was already taking off, he had to leave the bag with airport staff so they could open it, remove the power bank, and send it on the next available flight.
He is writing this on his way back from the airport to collect his luggage, and everything remained intact. He hopes that his late arrival will serve as a good omen—a sign that lightning can strike twice.
The Banyana team will play against the Moroccan hosts in the Wafcon quarterfinals in Rabat tonight (Saturday). They need all the luck after a mediocre group campaign where they qualified at the last minute. This quarterfinal is crucial for victory: a win guarantees direct entry into the third consecutive World Cup and relieves pressure on head coach Desirée Ellis and her team.
