South Africa cricketer Sinolo Jafta talks about her fight with alcoholism after 20-20 World Cup final
The 20-20 World Cup final was not meant to be for South Africa as they lost to eventual champions Australia by 19 runs. South Africa kept Australia down to 156-6 and ended up on the losing side as they finished their 20 overs on 137-6. But winning the silver medal was as good as winning gold for South Africa’s Sinolo Jafta.
After South Africa tasted defeat in the hands of Australia, the wicketkeeper batter talked about how she waged a war against alcoholism which almost led her to bid adieu to the game of cricket. South Africa had a tournament to remember. The beat England in the semi-final and also had two wins and two losses in the group stage. They also emerged victorious at home in a Tri series before the World Cup.
Social media does not support you – Sinolo Jafta
“Two months ago, I came out of rehab. I’ve got God to thank for my sobriety, and the team have been so supportive. I came out on December 8, and for me to get fit, to play… hectic. What a journey. The person you get on the field is someone who gets on their knees every day. I am not in control of anything. God is always in control,” Jafta told the Indian Express.
Social media, it doesn’t support you. You have a really tough day and people just bullet you. That sent me over the edge. It just wouldn’t stop. I remember coming back from the Commonwealth Games [in August] and everything just broke. I lost who I was,” She said that the criticism and negativity that she received on social media, this led her to take to alcoholism.
“My mom [Lumka Jafta] was one of the people who supported me through it, and the team doctor and the management gave me two months’ medical leave. I was in treatment for 56 days. I learnt the best about myself. People are allowed to have their opinions but it doesn’t define who I am,” The South Africa international said. She was grateful to her mother for being with her through the difficult phase.
Her mother was a single mother who single handedly brought up her and her brother. She said that she wanted to quit cricket when she started her treatment in October. She said that she now sees a new life and would look to go onwards and upwards from here. She was crying when she received the Silver Medal.
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