<p>According to his son Thando, fast bowling great Makhaya Ntini was constantly “fighting for his life” and in a “survival mode” throughout his career in South Africa.</p>
<p>Ntini, who retired with 662 wickets in all formats, was the first black cricket player to represent South Africa in Test matches.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-386134″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-son-thando-asserts-that-the-fast-bowling-legend-makhaya-ntini-doesnt-talk-about-it.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com son thando asserts that the fast bowling legend makhaya ntini doesnt talk about it” width=”1071″ height=”714″ title=”Son Thando asserts that the fast bowling legend Makhaya Ntini "doesn't talk about it" and that he was always fighting for his life on the South African team 3″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-son-thando-asserts-that-the-fast-bowling-legend-makhaya-ntini-doesnt-talk-about-it.jpg 510w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-son-thando-asserts-that-the-fast-bowling-legend-makhaya-ntini-doesnt-talk-about-it-150×100.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1071px) 100vw, 1071px” /></p>
<p>According to Thando, who was speaking on the Load Shed Podcast, Ntini was often passed over for dinner invitations by other South African celebrities, which made his father feel lonely while on tour.</p>
<p>“He (Makhaya) really spoke out a few years ago because he felt like he was always fighting for his life.” I recognize that the lone man there likely felt alone. Thando said, “It hurts to hear him say that he can count on one hand the number of times he was asked to a supper with the men.</p>
<p>You know how when you go on tour and you get somewhere, you make arrangements like, ‘Okay guys, we’re going to this spot for dinner,’ and you’re excited about it, but he’s never had someone knock on his door and say, ‘Are you excited to come?’ He said, “So it seemed like he was always in survival mode and just trying to build a future for himself and his family.”</p>
<p>Right-arm pacer Thando claims that Ntini prefers not to discuss the abuse he received while on the national team in order to protect his son’s future from being badly damaged.</p>
<p>“He doesn’t talk about it after cricket. He doesn’t want the things he says to make the industry a hostile place for me to work. Ultimately, the majority of our system’s coaches have either played with him or with former players, or had some other connection,” Thando said.</p>
<p>He said, “When he talks to me, all he says is, ‘I keep quiet to protect you so that you can have a long lasting career and I want you to have a smooth career and you make your own mistakes.’”</p>
<p>Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi of South Africa discussed the need for the squad to take a stance on the Black Lives Matter movement.</p>
<p>Ntini supported Ngidi when his remarks caused a rift in the nation’s attitudes. Ngidi recounted his own experience on the national team, when he felt alone since his colleagues wouldn’t invite him to supper or sit next to him at breakfast.</p>
