Lutho Tukayi’s vision: Inspiring stories from the basketball court
Lutho Zweli Tukayi, a 17-year-old from Maritzburg College, embodies the resilience of a rose that grew from a crack in the concrete.
Hailing from New Crossroad, Cape Town, a region notorious for its high crime rates and perilous living conditions, he has discovered a profound passion for basketball.
Through basketball, he channels his enthusiasm and pursues his aspirations.
Tukayi started his basketball journey in 2022, when he represented the Blue Cranes Basketball Club, based in Belhar. That same year, he was selected for the Western Cape u15 team, which won a bronze medal at the inter-provincial tournament in Gauteng.
In 2023, he moved from the Blue Cranes Basketball Club to the Heideveld Basketball Club, and he was chosen for the Western Cape u18 team. At the IPT, he made his mark and was named among 25 athletes selected for the South African u18 national team.
The following year, 2024, Tukayi turned out for the Spartans at the African Grassroot Hoops Basketball National Tournament. Exhibiting exceptional skill and determination throughout the event, he led the side to the gold medal.
Tukayi attended Curro Delft before transferring to Maritzburg College in 2025 to advance his education and to benefit from the expertise of one of the nation’s leading coaches, Suwi Siwila.
Playing for one of the country’s top sides in the basketball hotbed of KZN is an opportunity for Tukayi to further develop his game.
Like many, he looks towards the United States when discussing his goals in basketball. “My dream is to make an NBA team and represent my country,” Tukayi admitted.
He said that coming from New Crossroad, where crime is prevalent, has inspired him to motivate other young children in that community to pursue positive paths in their lives.
Coach Vincent Ntunja is a former South African national basketball player, who has long been one of Tukayi’s strongest supporters. Ntunja is also the Director of Ntunja Sports Management and Consulting and co-founded African Grassroot Hoops with Giovanni Freeman.
“African Grassroot Hoops (AGH), together with coach Ntunja, has helped me to be a better basketball player and, overall, a grounded person,” Tukayi said.
Ntunja, the newly appointed ambassador for Puma Hoops, expressed immense pride in the young man, stating that his admiration for him is beyond words.
Prior to his association with Puma Hoops, Ntunja enjoyed an eight-year partnership with Under Armour, during which he served as a brand ambassador.
“It’s such a pleasure to coach Zweli, a young prospect who shows a lot of passion for the game,” Ntunja said.
“He is quite tall for his age and that gives him an advantage over his peers.
“If he could learn and practice to play all positions on the floor, he could fulfill his dream of playing abroad and turning professional.
“Today’s basketball game requires players to be versatile and adjust quickly to the game tempo.
“I wish him the best of luck in all his endeavours. New Crossroad residents must be proud of his progress so far. Aluta continua,” Ntunja added.
He also expressed his excitement to SuperSport Schools Plus regarding his new affiliation with Puma, which, he said, will positively impact young talents, like Zweli.
“As a former player turned coach, this new partnership aligns with my passion for empowering young athletes and giving back to the community.
“Together we’ll be maximising the usage of the Vincent Ntunja Basketball Court in Gugulethu, hosting the Youth Day Classic Basketball Tournament, building basketball courts and supporting youth development initiatives that will make a difference in the lives of our future leaders.”
