Meet the African rugby player using her profile to fight period poverty

RUGBY PLAYER Babalaw Latsha is a new signing for Harlequins for the front row, having been a prominent figure within both the Springbok’s 15s and 7s, being the first pro 15s rugby player in Africa.

Latsha comes from what she describes as a humble background, growing up in a township in the Western Cape called Khayelitsha. She overcame the odds to become an international rugby player, whilst also completing her degree in Law at the same time.

Off the field, she is determined to inspire young girls and boys, through life coaching and mentoring. She also serves as a director of a period poverty charity within South Africa.

Babalaw sat down with The Voice to speak to us about her inspiring journey.

MC: What has your early experience of your new club, Harlequins, been like?

BL: I’ve grown to love the club and what it stands for. I take everything that I’m able to achieve and experience here very much to heart. It really bolsters my energy and confidence knowing I’m part of a club that is really magnificent, and it just really makes me even more excited about what’s to come in the future.

What was the transition like moving from South Africa to the UK?

The UK and back home is like two different worlds, you cannot even compare. From where I grew up, in a township, trying to pursue my dreams in an environment that was never really conducive of that, and then later in my life to find myself where I am now.

Sports people – more than we realise – have very powerful voices

Having captained the national team, and being the first female in Africa to play professional rugby abroad, and playing in one of the best leagues in the world, it has been a whirlwind of a journey, but it’s one that I’m enjoying, and really gives me hope for what’s to come for those that come after me.

Nothing beats home. Home will always be home, but experiencing different environments, is always a great challenge for me that I embrace. I think the experience here has made me a better rugby player, and perhaps even a better human being.

Where did your love for rugby come from?

I picked up a rugby ball purely by chance, it was more of a curiosity than anything. That curiosity then turned to passion, because in that space I found a place where it was acceptable for me to be myself.

I want to have a tangible impact on my community through the projects that I’m involved with which specifically target young women

There will be a lot of people looking up to you, how do you hope to use your position as a role model?
Sports people – more than we realise – have very powerful voices. I’ve made it my life’s purpose to use those spaces as much as I can to be a positive role model. Where we come from should never determine our true trajectory.

In life, we can have big dreams, and we can make them come true. I want to have a tangible impact on my community through the projects that I’m involved with which specifically target young women.

I’m one of the directors of an organisation called the Menstruation Foundation, and what we do is fight period poverty. We have a vending machine that we put up in schools to ensure that every young girl has access to sanitary care and products.

By doing that, we are then able to keep them in school and in sport. My aim is to empower and educate young people, including our boys, about period poverty, and to empower young women by creating safe spaces for them.

What lasting legacy do you hope to leave when your career is over?

I’d really like to see myself having played another World Cup, more seasons in the Harlequins jersey, and be a in position where I can be of better positive influence. For me personally, my measure of success would be how I’m able to impact a young person’s life positively.