By Nhlawulo Vision Chauke
Every family needs a breadwinner, someone who shows up when it matters most, delivers hope and carries the dreams of those they represent.
For the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and Banyana Banyana (South Africa women’s national team), that person has often been none other than Hildah Magaia, known affectionately as the “Bread Winner” for her clutch performances and calm composure in front of a goal.
Born to inspire and built for the big stage, Hildah’s journey has taken her from the streets of Limpopo to becoming a continental hero and a proud ambassador of TUT on international soil.
Discovering a home at TUT
Her relationship with TUT did not begin in a lecture hall; in fact, it started on the football field. “I played against TUT in a tournament in 2016 and developed an interest in the team,” she recalls. “I saw a family in them, the way in which they spoke to each other and worked together.”
It wasn’t long before she joined the sisterhood where she was leading, scoring and really shining.
As captain, she led the TUT Ladies to a record 6th Varsity Football title, becoming the last TUT captain to lift the trophy. That moment remains etched in her memory forever.
“It was my proudest moment. I still look at those pictures and see how the young ones get inspired by them. The trophy parades, the adrenaline, everything unmatched,” she said.
In addition to captaining the team in 2019, she stepped into goalkeeping duties during an emergency, proving her versatility and leadership in one of the most dramatic Varsity Football matches ever played. That same year, she was named Sportswoman of the Year at the TUT Prestige Sports Awards.
Another highlight of her career was being part of the TUT Ladies squad that clinched the only league title in the University's history. “It felt great to join the champions and become a champion in one's own right. That season, I was named Diski Queen of the Tournament and Player of the Tournament at the Sasol League National Championship. It is a journey I will never forget.”
TUT, the launchpad to greatness
Off the pitch, TUT also laid the academic foundation for her future. “TUT played a huge part in my life and career development. It propelled me to the national team, while also equipping me to graduate. It empowered me in so many ways and prepared me for the world as a proud TUT alumna,” she said, crediting the key role player in her development.
Even the challenges were memorable. “We had to travel during the week to play games, but I would still be prepared to write tests or exams the following day,” she said. “TUT really felt like my home away from home. The welcome and support I received were unparalleled - TUT became my family.”
Delivering the bread on the continental stage
Magaia etched her name into South African football history at the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON). In the final against Morocco, she scored a brace, sealing a historic 2–1 win and delivering the long-awaited title. “It wasn’t easy. We had come up short so many times before. But the moment I scored those goals, I knew it was a done deal.”
The nation celebrated - so did TUT, welcoming her back with a Champions Welcome led by Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Vice-Chancellor and Principal. It was a moment of pride not only for Magaia, but also for everyone who walked the journey with her.
Chasing more milestones
With 44 national caps and 27 goals to her name, she is far from finished. “I want to go back and defend the title more than anything else. I would love to reach 50 caps and maybe become the national team’s top goal scorer,” she said with quiet determination.
Taking her talent global
Her international career spans three continents. In Sweden, she notched 12 goals in 22 appearances for Morön BK, braving harsh weather and culture shocks. “It was hard, but I gave it my best.”
In South Korea, she signed up for Sejong Sportstoto and scored 9 goals in 21 games, though adjusting to the food proved to be a challenge. “I am a picky eater,” she laughs. “I survived mostly on eggs, rice and fish, although breakfast was more palatable.”
She later joined Mazatlán Femenil in Mexico, before a loan move to Kansas City in August 2024. She’s now flying the South African flag high at Club Tijuana Femenil, still delivering the goods with grace, grit and her signature calm under pressure.
Magaia’s story is not just about goals, it is about heart, family and rising above all limits. From TUT to the world, she remains an icon of what it means to carry the dreams of many and deliver every single time.
Hildah ‘Bread Winner’ Magaia