Precious Mthembu

{{Infobox netball biography

|name = Precious Mthembu

|image =

|caption =

|fullname = Precious Mthembu

|maidenname =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|07|11|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

|school = Danville Park Girls' High School

|university =

|occupation =

|relatives =

|positions = C, WD

|height = {{height|m=1.77}}

|clubyears1 = 2009

|clubteam1 = Mermaids

|clubyears2 = 2014–2021

|clubteam2 = Kingdom Stars

|clubyears3 = 2017–2023

|clubteam3 = Gilbert Stars

|nationalyears1 = 2007–20xx

|nationalteam1 = South Africa

|nationalcaps1 = 97

|coachyears1 = 2024

|coachteam1 = South Africa U20, U21

|coachyears2 = 2022

|coachteam2 = Kingdom Queens

|coachyears3 = 2023–

|coachteam3 = Kingdom Stars

}}

Precious Mthembu (born 11 July 1984) is a former South Africa netball international and current netball coach. Mthembu made 97 senior appearances for South Africa. She represented South Africa at the 2007 and 2015 Netball World Cups and at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games. She captained South Africa at the 2011 All-Africa Games. Mthembu also played for Kingdom Stars in the Premier Netball League. She captained Stars between 2019 and 2021. In 2015 and 2019, she was a members of the Stars teams that won Division Two Shield titles. In 2024, as a head coach, she guided South Africa to victory in a Netball World Youth Cup qualifying tournament and Kingdom Stars to a Division Two Shield title.

Early life, family and education

Mthembu was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. She grew up in the Waterloo suburb and attended Virginia Preparatory School and Danville Park Girls High School. She later returned to the latter school to work as a Zulu language teacher and netball coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/north-glen-news/sports-news/2018/03/25/precious-nets-sa-commonwealth-games-dream/|title=Precious nets SA Commonwealth Games dream|publisher=www.citizen.co.za|date=25 March 2018|access-date=12 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/north-glen-news/sports-news/2019/10/23/danville-netball-duo-have-high-hopes/|title=Danville netball duo have high hopes|publisher=www.citizen.co.za|date=23 October 2019|access-date=14 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/north-glen-news/news-headlines/2020/12/05/precious-nets-success-in-truncated-year/|title=Precious nets success in truncated year|publisher=www.citizen.co.za|date=5 December 2020|access-date=14 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/precious-mthembu-commits-to-developing-next-generation/|title=Precious Mthembu Commits to Developing Next Generation|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=10 March 2021|access-date=10 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/north-glen-news/news-headlines/2022/05/01/danville-park-girls-high-school-educator-shoots-for-the-stars/|title=Danville Park Girls' High School educator shoots for the stars|publisher=www.citizen.co.za|date=1 May 2022|access-date=14 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/berea-mail/news-headlines/local-news/2022/09/02/netball-star-a-true-role-model-for-girls/|title=Netball Star, a true role model for girls|publisher=www.citizen.co.za|date=2 September 2022|access-date=14 December 2024}}

Playing career

=Kingdom Stars=

Between 2014 and 2021, Mthembu played for Kingdom Stars in the Premier Netball League. She captained Stars between 2019 and 2021.{{cite web|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/precious-mthembu-leaves-impressive-legacy/|title=Precious Mthembu Leaves Impressive Legacy|publisher=netball-sa.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510083124/https://netball-sa.co.za/precious-mthembu-leaves-impressive-legacy/|archive-date=10 May 2022|access-date=24 August 2024|date=10 May 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/meet-the-tnl-division-1-captains/|title=Meet the TNL Division 1 Captains|publisher=netball-sa.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904080210/https://netball-sa.co.za/meet-the-tnl-division-1-captains/|archive-date=4 September 2021|date=4 September 2021|access-date=12 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/kingdom-stars-have-a-mountain-to-climb-in-round-two-of-tnl/|title=Kingdom Stars Have a Mountain to Climb in Round Two of TNL|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=19 October 2020|access-date=12 December 2024}} Her early team mates at Stars included Bongiwe Msomi. In 2015, Mthembu and Msomi were members of the Stars team that won the Division Two Shield.{{cite web|url=http://brutalfruitnetballcup.co.za/southern-stings-win-netball-shield/|title=Southern Stings Win Netball Shield|publisher=brutalfruitnetballcup.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125124752/http://brutalfruitnetballcup.co.za/southern-stings-win-netball-shield/|archive-date=25 November 2015|date=7 June 2014|access-date=8 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/north-glen-news/news-headlines/2015/06/24/the-rise-of-kingdom-stars/|title=The rise of Kingdom Stars|publisher=www.citizen.co.za|date=24 June 2015|access-date=13 September 2024}} In 2019, Mthembu captained Stars as they won the Division Two Shield and gained promotion to Division One after winning a promotion/relegation play off.{{cite web|url=https://supersport.com/general/xtra/news/190602_Semifinal_matchups_decided_at_Telkom_Netball_League/semifinal-match-ups-decided-at-telkom-netball-league|title=Semifinal match-ups decided at Telkom Netball League|publisher=supersport.com|date=2 June 2019|access-date=15 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/jaguars-roar-to-another-telkom-netball-league-title/|title=Jaguars roar to another Telkom Netball League title|publisher=netball-sa.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523131313/https://netball-sa.co.za/jaguars-roar-to-another-telkom-netball-league-title/|archive-date=23 May 2024|date=9 June 2019|access-date=31 August 2024}} In 2020, she captained Stars as they retained their position in Division One after winning the promotion/relegation play off.{{cite web|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/jaguars-win-fourth-telkom-netball-league-title-and-stars-retain-division-a-position/|title=Jaguars Win Fourth Telkom Netball League Title And Stars Retain Division A Position|publisher=netball-sa.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101023702/https://netball-sa.co.za/jaguars-win-fourth-telkom-netball-league-title-and-stars-retain-division-a-position/|archive-date=1 November 2020|date=27 October 2020|access-date=30 August 2024}}

=Gilbert Stars=

Between 2017 and 2021, as either a player and/or coach with Gilbert Stars, Mthembu, won five consecutive titles in KwaZulu-Natal's Netball Super League.{{cite web|url=https://sasca-pb.co.za/getting-to-know-precious-mthembu/|title=Getting to know … Precious Mthembu|publisher=sasca-pb.co.za|date=11 July 2020|access-date=9 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/precious-mthembu-wins-fifth-kzn-super-league-title/|title=Precious Mthembu Wins Fifth KZN Super League Title|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=7 July 2021|access-date=10 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kznnetball.co.za/super-league|title=KZN Netball Super League|publisher=www.kznnetball.co.za|access-date=12 December 2024}} In 2023, Mthembu was still an active player with Gilbert Stars.{{cite web|url=https://supersport.com/netball/general/news/6d42ea97-95a8-4e66-8281-b0f5dac30d60/mthembu-enjoying-role-as-coach|title=Mthembu enjoying role as coach|publisher=supersport.com|date=10 May 2023|access-date=9 December 2024}}

=South Africa=

On 26 January 2007, Mthembu made her senior debut for South Africa during an away series against England. She subsequently represented South Africa at the 2007 World Netball Championships. In 2009 she became South Africa vice captain. She represented South Africa at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and captained South Africa at the 2011 All-Africa Games.{{cite web|url=https://eadp.co.za/?page_id=524|title= Precious Mthembu|publisher=eadp.co.za|access-date=9 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://netballsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2009/02/precious-mthembu-vice-captain.html|title=Precious Mthembu (Vice Captain)|publisher=netballsouthafrica.blogspot.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128093623/https://netballsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2009/02/precious-mthembu-vice-captain.html|archive-date=28 November 2023|date=13 February 2009|access-date=15 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/World/Women_2007.html|title=Women Netball XII World Championship 2007 Auckland|publisher=www.todor66.com|access-date=25 February 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teamsa.co.za/team-sa-ready-for-mozambican-mission/|title=Team SA ready|publisher=www.teamsa.co.za|date=29 August 2011|access-date=14 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teamsa.co.za/chad-on-fire-as-team-sa-win-15-more-medals/|title=Team SA get 15 more|publisher=www.teamsa.co.za|date=6 September 2011|access-date=14 December 2024}} She went onto represent South Africa at the 2014 Commonwealth Games{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/sascoc-announces-teamsa-for-glasgow-2014/|title=SASCOC Announces #TeamSA for Glasgow 2014|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=11 June 2014|access-date=14 December 2024}} and 2015 Netball World Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/World/Women_2015.html#Teams_Composition|title=Women Netball XIV World Championship 2015 Sydney|publisher=www.todor66.com|accessdate=25 February 2020}} On 3 September 2017, Mthembu was a member of the first South Africa team to win a Netball Quad Series match when they defeated England 54–51.{{cite web |url=http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2017/09/03/roses-beaten-by-south-africa-in-final-quad-series-match/|title=Roses beaten by South Africa in final Quad Series match |publisher=4theloveofsport.co.uk|access-date=30 March 2020 |date=3 September 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/major-achievement-by-the-proteas/|title=Major achievement by the Proteas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302123239/https://netball-sa.co.za/major-achievement-by-the-proteas/|archive-date=2 March 2024|publisher=netball-sa.co.za|access-date=22 August 2024|date=3 September 2017}} At the 2018 Commonwealth Games she made her third appearance in the tournament. However, during the tournament she suffered an ACL injury in a match against Australia. She later made a comeback at the 2019 Africa Netball Cup. In May 2022, Mthembu announced her retirement from international netball. She finished her career with 97 senior appearances, the most by any wing defence in South Africa and the fourth most by any South Africa netball international.{{cite web|url=https://www.sabcsport.com/news/mthembu-takes-a-bow-from-the-national-level|title=Mthembu takes a bow from the national level|publisher=www.sabcsport.com|date=10 May 2022|access-date=12 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/netball-fraternity-lauds-retired-precious-mthembu/|title=Netball Fraternity Lauds Retired Precious Mthembu|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=10 May 2022|access-date=10 December 2024}}

class="wikitable collapsible" ! Tournaments ! Place
2007 World Netball Championships	6th
2010 Commonwealth Games	6th
2011 All-Africa Games{{cite web\|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Africa/Women_AG_2011.html\|title=Women Netball Africa Games Maputo (MOZ) 2011\|publisher=www.todor66.com\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211401/http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Africa/Women_AG_2011.html\|archive-date=3 March 2016\|access-date=20 August 2024}}	6th
2011 World Netball Series{{cite web\|url=http://www.roadtolondon2012.co.za/2011/11/16/maryke-precious-back-for-uk-tournament/\|title=Netball team changes\|publisher=www.roadtolondon2012.co.za\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509071956/http://www.roadtolondon2012.co.za/2011/11/16/maryke-precious-back-for-uk-tournament/\|archive-date=9 May 2012\|date=16 November 2011\|access-date=14 December 2024}}	5th
2012 Diamond Challenge{{cite web\|url=https://gsport.co.za/sa-down-malawi-at-diamond-challenge/\|title=SA Down Malawi at Diamond Challenge\|publisher=gsport.co.za\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017211338/https://gsport.co.za/sa-down-malawi-at-diamond-challenge/\|archive-date=17 October 2021\|date=18 August 2012\|access-date=27 October 2024}}	1st
2013 African Netball Championship{{cite web\|url=https://gsport.co.za/proteas-beat-malawi-for-top-in-africa-title/\|title=Proteas Beat Malawi for Top in Africa Title\|publisher=gsport.co.za\|date=29 June 2013\|access-date=24 November 2024}}	1st
2014 Commonwealth Games	6th
2014 Fast5 Netball World Series	5th
2015 Netball Europe Open Championships{{cite web\|url=https://gsport.co.za/proud-proteas-scoop-silver-at-euro-netball-champs/\|title=Proud Proteas Scoop Silver at Euro Netball Champs\|publisher=gsport.co.za\|date=17 May 2015\|access-date=20 September 2024}}{{cite web\|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Europe/Women_2015.html\|title=Women Netball Europe Open Championship 2015\|publisher=www.todor66.com\|access-date=5 January 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404200649/http://todor66.com/others/Netball/Europe/Women_2015.html\|archive-date=4 April 2019}}	{{silver02}}
2015 Diamond Challenge{{cite web\|url=https://www.old.varsitysportssa.com/netball-stars-earn-stripes/\|title=Netball stars earn their stripes\|publisher=www.old.varsitysportssa.com\|date=8 June 2015\|access-date=17 November 2024}}{{cite web\|url=https://www.teamsa.co.za/plummers-proteas-shine-to-win-diamond-challenge/\|title=Plummer's Proteas shine to win Diamond Challenge\|publisher=www.teamsa.co.za\|access-date=2 July 2024\|date=21 June 2015}}	1st
2015 Taini Jamison Trophy Series{{cite web\|url=https://mc.championdata.com/netball_nz/index.html?competitionid=9643&matchid=96430102\|title=New Zealand 68–44 South Africa\|publisher=mc.championdata.com\|access-date=4 December 2023\|date=26 July 2015}}{{cite web\|url=https://mc.championdata.com/netball_nz/index.html?competitionid=9643&matchid=96430103\|title=New Zealand 67–28 South Africa\|publisher=mc.championdata.com\|access-date=4 December 2023\|date=28 July 2015}}	2nd
2015 Netball World Cup	5th
2016 Netball Quad Series{{cite web\|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/spar-proteas-impress-in-quad-series/\|title=SPAR Proteas impress in quad series\|publisher=netball-sa.co.za\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304181156/https://netball-sa.co.za/spar-proteas-impress-in-quad-series/\|archive-date=4 March 2024\|access-date=22 August 2024\|date=6 September 2016}}	4th
2016 Diamond Challenge{{cite web\|url=https://www.teamsa.co.za/job-well-done-says-coach-plummer-as-proteas-win-challenge/\|title=‘Job well done’, says coach Plummer as Proteas win Challenge\|publisher=www.teamsa.co.za\|access-date=2 July 2024\|date=2 October 2016}}{{cite web\|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/south-africa-win-netball-diamond-challenge/\|title=South Africa win Netball Diamond Challenge\|publisher=netball-sa.co.za\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706015719/https://netball-sa.co.za/south-africa-win-netball-diamond-challenge/\|archive-date=6 July 2022\|access-date=21 August 2024\|date=6 October 2016}}	1st
2017 Netball Quad Series (January/February){{Cite web\|url=https://mc.championdata.com/netball_nz/index.html?competitionid=10200&matchid=102000105\|title=New Zealand 70–39 South Africa\|publisher=mc.championdata.com\|date=5 February 2017\|access-date=30 April 2022}}	4th
2017 Netball Quad Series (August/September)	4th
2018 Netball Quad Series (January){{cite web\|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/strong-team-for-netball-quad-series/\|title=Strong team for Netball quad series\|publisher=netball-sa.co.za\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126194028/https://netball-sa.co.za/strong-team-for-netball-quad-series/\|archive-date=26 January 2022\|date=12 January 2018\|access-date=24 September 2024}}{{cite web\|url=https://mc.championdata.com/netball_nz/index.html?competitionid=10423&matchid=104230104\|title=South Africa 46–51 New Zealand\|publisher=mc.championdata.com\|date=25 January 2018\|access-date=6 October 2023}}	4th
2018 Commonwealth Games{{cite web\|url=https://www.teamsa.co.za/proteas-stay-world-no5-after-commonwealth-games/\|title=Proteas stay world No 5 after Commonwealth Games\|publisher=www.teamsa.co.za\|date=22 May 2018\|access-date=12 December 2024}}{{cite web\|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Commonwealth/Women_2018.html\|title=Women Netball Commonwealth Games Golden Goast, Australia 2018\|publisher=www.todor66.com\|access-date=5 January 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112170328/http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Commonwealth/Women_2018.html\|archive-date=12 January 2020}}	5th
2019 Africa Netball Cup{{cite web\|url=https://gsport.co.za/netball-sa-announces-squad-to-compete-at-the-africa-netball-cup/\|title=Netball SA Announces Squad to Compete at the Africa Netball Cup\|publisher=gsport.co.za\|date=11 October 2019\|access-date=12 December 2024}}{{cite web\|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/2019-africa-netball-cup-kicks-off-with-south-africa-making-their-intentions-very-clear/\|title=2019 Africa Netball Cup kicks off with South Africa making their intentions very clear\|publisher=netball-sa.co.za\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304204922/https://netball-sa.co.za/2019-africa-netball-cup-kicks-off-with-south-africa-making-their-intentions-very-clear/\|archive-date=4 March 2024\|access-date=21 September 2024\|date=21 October 2019}}	1st

Coaching career

=South Africa=

In December 2021, Mthembu was head coach of a South Africa under-20 team that won a regional youth tournament.{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/youth-games-gold-medal-for-team-sa-netball-in-lesotho/|title=Youth Games Gold Medal for Team SA Netball in Lesotho|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=8 December 2021|access-date=10 December 2024}} She also served as an assistant coach to both Elsje Jordaan and Jenny van Dyk with the South Africa under-21 team. In March 2024 she succeeded the latter as the under-21 coach after she was appointed head coach of the senior South Africa team.{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/elsje-jordaan-announces-sa-u21-netball-squad-for-spar-challenge/|title=Elsé Jordaan Announces SA U21 Netball Squad for SPAR Challenge|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=28 February 2021|access-date=10 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://supersport.com/netball/general/news/82fb82db-777b-4890-80e5-3d48c6d3229d/mthembu-excited-about-new-journey|title=Mthembu excited about new journey|publisher=supersport.com|date=6 March 2024|access-date=18 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sabcsport.com/news/baby-proteas-coach-precious-mthembu-embraces-the-world-cup-challenge|title=Baby Proteas coach Precious Mthembu embraces the World Cup challenge|publisher=www.sabcsport.com|date=8 March 2024|access-date=9 December 2024}} She subsequently guided South Africa to victory in a 2025 Netball World Youth Cup qualifying tournament. Her assistant coach was Phumza Maweni.{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/sa-u21-squad-for-the-netball-world-youth-cup-2025-qualifiers-africa-announced/|title=SA U21 Squad for the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Qualifiers Africa Announced|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=5 March 2024|access-date=10 December 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/unbeaten-baby-spar-proteas-qualify-for-the-netball-world-youth-cup-2025-in-gibraltar/|title=Unbeaten Baby Spar Proteas Qualify for the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 in Gibraltar|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=23 March 2024|access-date=25 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/phophi-nematangari-led-baby-proteas-with-aplomb-as-they-secured-gibraltar-ticket/|title=Phophi Nematangari Led Baby Proteas with Aplomb as they Secured Gibraltar Ticket|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=22 May 2024|access-date=10 December 2024}}

=Kingdom Queens=

During the 2022 Telkom Netball League season, Mthembu served as head coach of Kingdom Queens.{{cite web|url=https://supersport.com/netball/general/news/12ba9e77-4f0e-4243-bcf5-f694ae8b3a1c/kingdom-queens-benefitting-from-precious-appointment|title=Kingdom Queens benefitting from Precious appointment|publisher=supersport.com|date=3 May 2022|access-date=12 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/kingdom-queens-ready-as-tnl-action-continues-this-weekend/|title=Kingdom Queens Ready as TNL Action Continues This Weekend|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=19 May 2022|access-date=10 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/team/kindom-queens/|title=KZN Kingdom Queens profile 2022|publisher=netball-sa.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304173603/https://netball-sa.co.za/team/kindom-queens/|archive-date=4 March 2024|date=14 December 2024}}

=Kingdom Stars=

Since 2023, Mthembu has served as head coach of Kingdom Stars. In 2024, she guided Stars to victory in the Division Two Shield. Mthembu has now won the title as both player and coach.{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/kingdom-stars-win-telkom-netball-league-division-2-title-in-johannesburg/|title=Kingdom Stars Win Telkom Netball League Division 2 Title in Johannesburg|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=19 June 2024|access-date=19 June 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://gsport.co.za/kingdom-stars-coach-and-captain-laud-tnl-for-massive-improvement-of-the-sport/|title=Kingdom Stars Coach and Captain laud TNL for Massive Improvement of the Sport|publisher=gsport.co.za|date=22 July 2024|access-date=10 December 2024}}