In the little town of Thornhill, just outside the hustle of Kouga’s municipal centre, lives a woman rewriting the playbook of local sports leadership.
At 28, Ziyanda Kilimani is more than a filing clerk at Kouga Local Municipality’s Community and Safety Services, more than a mother, and far more than just another face in the crowd.
She is the founder of Thornhill Uprising Stars Football Club, a beacon of hope for dozens of boys in her community and the first woman in Kouga to lead a football team to Inland Stream Premier League victory.
“I grew up playing netball,” Kilimani chuckles. “Never in a million years did I think I’d run a football club.”
But inspiration came unexpectedly after watching business mogul, Shauwn Mkhize, lead the Royal AM Football Club.
“She sparked something in me. I wanted to do more, to build something that mattered,” said Kilimani.
What began as an informal gathering of teenage boys in 2019 – playfully dubbed “Brotherhood” – quickly evolved into something far greater. By 2022, the group had a name, an official league registration, and a mission: to rescue the boy child from the streets through the discipline and camaraderie of football.
Raising a team – and a community
Now with over 60 boys across three divisions (u/11, u/15, and u/21), Thornhill Uprising Stars is more than just a team. It is a movement.
Kilimani’s role stretches beyond that of coach or club founder.
“Most of my boys are raised by single mothers,” she said. “I don’t just coach them – I mother them.”
The journey wasn’t without setbacks. The club was relegated in the 2022/23 season, a blow to its morale.
“That season broke our hearts,” she admitted. “But in 2024/25, we rose. We showed them we belonged.”
That perseverance paid off as the Stars clinched the Inland Stream Premier League title – a historic achievement, led by a woman at the helm.
Leading with heart
Kilimani’s leadership is collaborative, rooted in honest communication and unwavering belief in her players.
Annual prizegivings, community engagement, and mentorship are just some of the tools in her kit.
And despite juggling a full-time role at Kouga’s Community and Safety Services, she remains hands-on with her club.
“I lead by example,” she said. “That is how I earn their respect.”
Beyond the pitch
What drives Kilimani is bigger than football.
“It is about creating men of character – future fathers, leaders and contributors to society. It is about building a legacy that says girls and women belong in every space, especially the ones they were told weren’t made for them,” she added.
Her vision? To expand Thornhill Uprising Stars into a full-fledged sports academy with multiple codes and youth development programmes, including for girls.
“Opportunities are scarce here. We need to give our youth a fighting chance,” said Kilimani.
She is already laying the groundwork: plans for talent clinics, school partnerships and girl-focused training programmes are underway. And she is calling on local government and stakeholders to invest in these dreams, not just in August, she said, but year-round.
Equality and empowerment
Asked what legacy she hopes to leave, Kilimani does not hesitate.
“I want Kouga Football to remember a woman who stood tall, created opportunities, and shattered every stereotype. I want little girls to see me and say: If she did it, I can too,” said Kilimani.
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