Guests dressed to the nines and gathered at Zeitz MOCAA, where the Swiss watchmaker celebrated 40 years of its pioneering High-Tech Ceramic material.
The evening was hosted by television personality ProVerb, with former Proteas batsman Herschelle Gibbs, fast bowling all-rounder Wayne Parnell and comedian JamJam among those in attendance.
At the heart of the occasion was Rabada, who attended in his role as Rado global brand ambassador.
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The partnership brings together a brand renowned for precision and innovation with a fast bowler who has spent more than a decade performing at the highest level.
Rabada spoke openly about the mindset behind his success and the work required to overcome the difficult periods that come with professional sport.
“When things are going well, it’s easy to be motivated,” Rabada said. “But when things aren’t going well and you’re confused and don’t know what your next steps should be, that’s when it demands the most from you.
“You have to look yourself in the mirror. It’s going to ask a lot of you, whether physically, mentally or creatively. That’s the grey area you need to be willing to work through.”
Rabada added that maintaining perspective and keeping trusted people close has helped him navigate life in the spotlight.
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“People will glorify you, but sometimes they’re not going to glorify you, and you must understand that,” he said.
“The closest people are those who accept you for whatever you do, whether you’re in the limelight or whether you’re not. Those are the people who matter most.”
While the elegant occasion celebrated four decades of Rado craftsmanship, Rabada’s message was rooted in perseverance.
For one of South Africa’s finest fast bowlers, success has been about accepting the ups and downs, finding answers and enjoying the rewards that follow.
“When you get the reward at the end, it’s the most beautiful thing,” he said.
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Photo: ProVerb/X
