MPONDO PRINCESS STELLA SIGCAU III: A RISING STAR IN SOUTH AFRICAN VOLLEYBALL
Princess Stella Sigcau III, the eldest daughter of Nkosi Jongilanga Sigcau — Chairperson of the Alfred Nzo Local House of Traditional Leaders — and Maqhinebe, a Mpondomise Princess of the Qhinebe clan, is making waves in South African sports. Over the weekend, she was selected to represent the University Sports South Africa (USSA) national team after a standout performance at a tournament held in Cape Town.
A tourism student at Nelson Mandela University, Princess Sigcau plays for the institution’s volleyball team, the Madibaz, and also represents the university on the netball court. Her athletic journey began in high school, where her talent quickly caught the attention of coaches and selectors.
Now 19, Sigcau was scouted while attending Bloemfontein South High alongside her sister, Princess ZamaFaku II. A volleyball coach encouraged them to try out the sport — a decision that marked the beginning of her impressive rise. In her very first season, she impressed selectors and earned a spot on the Free State provincial team, travelling to Cape Town for a major tournament. It was there that she fell in love with the tactical and technical aspects of the game.
“Seeing how my teammates and opponents approached the game made me want to grow even more — which I’ve been able to do with Madibaz this year,” said Princess Sigcau.
Her recent selection to the USSA national squad came as a surprise. “I was really shocked!” she admitted. “I didn’t expect anything like that, especially after my first USSA tournament.”
Hailing from the small village of Matshona in Lwandlolubomvu, Ntabankulu — deep in the heart of the Mpondo Kingdom where her father serves as Senior Traditional Leader — Princess Sigcau is proud of her roots. Despite the challenges, she described the experience of competing at the USSA tournament as a defining moment in her young career.
“The tournament was both mentally and physically demanding — at times even stressful — but it was an incredible experience,” she said.
Though Madibaz finished 10th out of 11 universities, the team fought hard, claiming wins against CUT and UFH, and learning valuable lessons from losses against UKZN, UNIZULU, and others.
With the USSA tournament behind her, Sigcau is determined to keep improving and building on what she’s learned from facing some of the best players in the country.
When she’s back home in the village, she dedicates time to playing and coaching local youth in volleyball — continuing a strong family legacy in sports. Her grandfather, Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau, was a celebrated rugby player; her grandmother, Queen Nombethe, was a tennis champion. Her father, Nkosi Jongilanga, played basketball, while her aunts, Princesses Stella II and ZamaFaku, are known for their swimming prowess.
Clearly, athletic excellence runs in the royal bloodline — and Princess Stella Sigcau III is proudly carrying the torch forward.