Once a Bear, Always a Bear - Monde Zondeki

In the latest instalment of the series, we had the pleasure of catching up with Monde Zondeki – a South African international seam bowler who represented the Bears in 4 matches during the opening exchanges of the 2008 County Championship- to speak about his early cricketing memories in Mzansi, the highlights from his short but sweet time in Shakespeare’s County as well as his latest venture into the world of sports broadcasting and coaching.

Here’s what he had to say:

So Monde, it’s the classic opening question here at The Bear, but what are your earliest memories of cricket, either playing or watching the great game?

When it comes to watching cricket, my first memory would have been the 1992 World Cup. I was only 10 at the time and it was our first ever World Cup appearance after being in isolation and being banned from all international sport for decades, so, yeah, I’d say it was that.

And as a youngster, who were your cricketing role models in those early days?

I’d have to say Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini in my early days as a cricket player, they were incredible.

Those are two excellent choices, and they might be a hint for the next answer, but why did you choose to become a fast bowler in the first place?

Honestly…I didn’t choose! I started bowling fast when I was 10 years old and just stuck with it because I loved the game and was faster than everyone else my age group at my school.

What was your favourite delivery to bowl as a seamer?

Haha! I don't think I have a favourite - except the good ones that get you a wicket - but if I had to choose one, I'd probably say the bouncer.

Which cricket club did you start out at in South Africa and which teams have you represented over the years?

I started my professional career with the Border Bears, as they were known at the time. Then after that, I played for the EC Warriors, the Cape Cobras, Warwickshire and South Africa.

Following on from that last question, how did the opportunity to play for Warwickshire in 2008 first materialise?

In 2008, I was asked by Allan Donald - who was an assistant coach at Warwickshire at the time - if I was interested in coming over to play some county cricket in the summer, and I said yes! Unfortunately, an injury cut my stint short but, yeah, that's where it all started at Warwickshire.

And what would you say was the highlight from your time in a Bears shirt?

Even though I was only there for a short period of time, there were quite a few. I enjoyed the city of Birmingham itself, meeting my new teammates and playing in my first 4-day game for the club against Northamptonshire, which we won by chasing nearly 400 runs!

How do you reflect upon your time at Edgbaston?

I wish I had been there longer, but injury cut my time short. After that, I was selected for the South African national team, who were touring England during that same summer, and that also cut it short. I loved my time at Warwickshire though and everyone at the club, especially the staff, were super friendly.

What are you getting up to nowadays?

Sadly, I had to retire early from my pro career due to a back problem in 2012, but I’m still involved in cricket through player selection and by being a commentator for SuperSport TV here in South Africa. I'm also involved in cricket coaching, which is great.

And I know we’ve spoken mainly about cricket over the course of this article, but do you have any hobbies or interests outside of this incredible sport?

I’ve got quite a few actually… I like hiking, watching movies and TV series, politics and reading interesting books about history.

Are there any other interesting facts about you, cricket-related or otherwise, that people might not know about?

Hmm… I think my cricket ‘nickname’, if you will, of All Hands has to be up there. It’s connected to my surname of Zondeki – as in, ‘all hands-on deck’ – and I got it after scoring a 50 on my Test debut against England in 2003. From what I remember, it was given to me by an English journalist, but I don't know who exactly.

And for our final question Monde, it’s a pretty big one, but what would you say has been the proudest moment of your life so far?

Cricket-wise, I’d have to say representing South Africa at such a young age. I’ve got so many great memories from my time with the Proteas, such as that 50 on Test debut at Headingley that we spoke about and my Man of the Match performance against Zimbabwe in my first home Test at Centurion in 2005 as well, so they’ll always be up there for me. As for my wider life though, I'm still on that journey of discovery in many ways…