From water baby to world stage: Esihle Zondo’s journey to the Spanish Primera División

Esihle Zondo was a "water baby" who had her first swimming lessons at just six months old. Now a rising water polo star, the 21-year-old is currently in Barcelona playing for Club Natació Rubí in the Primera División.

Zondo, who made her debut for South Africa at the age of 15, reflects on her early start in the pool as a foundation laid by her family.

“I have been swimming since I was six months old. My mum wanted us to be comfortable swimmers because she deemed it a very basic, vital skill to have, just in case. So it gradually grew from there; by the time I was going to primary school, I was swimming basically every day,” said Zondo.

Talking to Eyewitness News, the polo player says she was first introduced to the sport when her older sister played for their school's U13A side.

“My sister played for the school’s U13A side and my mom and I watched her practices and matches when we could. By watching the game so frequently—I didn’t know at the time—but I was clearly studying the game," Zondo explained. "Two years later, I was in the right grade to learn the game. It seemed to my mum that we were dedicated enough that extra lessons were also a must. We went to multiple different trainings, from school practice to Junior Jellies to Lee-Anne Keet’s extra lessons.”

The athlete eventually chose water polo over competitive sprint swimming during high school, drawn to its physicality and team dynamics.

“I made the KZN U13A provincial side at 11 years old and from then onwards it was pretty clear that I would keep playing because it was just as enjoyable to me as swimming was," she said. "We became invested in the game as a family, but I personally fell in love with it in a way that clearly shows it was more than just an investment for me, but a lifestyle.”

2026 is set to be a significant year for Zondo. South Africa is scheduled to compete in Round 1 of the World Cup Series in Malta this April. The second round will take place in Sydney, Australia, later in the year, and Zondo is hoping to make history with the team.

“To me, making history at this upcoming World Cup looks like South Africa coming top four. More specifically, qualifying for Round 2 at the World Cup tournament that’s happening in Sydney," Zondo said. "I am a huge optimist and am so excited for the upcoming seasons with Team South Africa because I believe that the group of players we have are willing to work hard to earn our place on the world stage.”

She told Eyewitness News that it is a privilege for the team to represent not just South Africa, but the entire continent.

“It’s a privilege for us to currently be the only African representation and I honestly think making history is about coming back to every game or event better, stronger, and more determined than the last time we competed. Because when we do that, naturally, history-making results shall follow.”

Zondo previously represented South Africa at the 2021 FINA World Women’s Junior Water Polo Championships in Israel at age 17 and the 2023 U20 World Championships in Portugal.

Originally a versatile player capable of filling all roles, she has recently specialised as a centre-forward/wing. She believes her biggest asset as a professional in Spain is her mental preparation and goal orientation.

“I am still learning methods that work well with keeping myself ready to go throughout the season. Mainly, mindset-based things are my go-to, because nutrition and all those other aspects are things I have been taught since I was young. For me right now, it’s about having the right mentality and, of course, remembering my goals, because doing that influences my decision-making for anything that I encounter.”