The recent appointment of Old Johannian and former Cape Cobras and Lions batsman Omphile Ramela (Hodgson 2006) as the new Chief Executive Officer of Border Cricket is a proud moment for St John’s College. As a school that prides itself on providing holistic education, St John’s enjoys celebrating our Johannian community who embody our ethos of being rightly trained in body, mind and character.
As Omphile takes up his role as the new CEO, he aims to lead all aspects of the development of players and administration within the Border region. “This position has a broader impact on the community. By driving the growth of cricket here, we aim to pay it forward and empower aspiring young cricketers, provide them with opportunities to excel, and contribute to the overall well-being of the community through sport,” he said.
This new role holds great significance for Omphile and his family and is a culmination of his passion for the game and his commitment to the development of cricket. He believes this is the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the sport that has played a pivotal role in shaping his life.
“The discipline, leadership skills, and a sense of camaraderie I learned at St John’s have been invaluable in my career."
Omphile has always been passionate about cricket. From just ten years old, it was clear that there wasn’t anything else he wanted to excel in. His mother, his biggest inspiration, instilled the values of hard work, determination, and integrity in her son. Omhpile also credits his coaches, mentors, and teachers - Adrian Norris, Lewis Manthata, Dr Daniel Pretorius at St John’s and Protea Coach Shukri Conrad, to name a few - who influenced his cricket and professional life.
As an Old Johannian, he feels that St John’s prepared him for his career by providing him with a holistic education and a supportive environment that nurtured his talents, both academically and athletically. “The discipline, leadership skills, and a sense of camaraderie I learned at St John’s have been invaluable in my career,” he said.
Looking back at his cricket career, Omphile has achieved great things and experienced challenges. “Not playing for South Africa was undoubtedly a big disappointment in my cricket career. However, it taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of developing a singular focus when pursuing a goal. While I had a strong desire to represent my country, I also recognised the significance of balancing my aspirations with academic pursuits. I learned that maintaining a well-rounded approach to life is crucial, even in pursuing one's dreams. As economists would say, it's important to weigh up the opportunity cost,” he said.
Omphile advises any student interested in a cricket career to work hard, stay dedicated, and never stop learning. “Practise consistently, seek guidance from experienced coaches, and embrace every opportunity to improve your skills. Also, remember to balance your academics and personal development alongside cricket, as a well-rounded approach will help you succeed both on and off the field.”
