JP Duminy on finding purpose after retirement by giving back

Carl Wastie speaks to JP Duminy about life after professional cricket. 

Jean-Paul Duminy is a South African cricket commentator and former international cricketer from Strandfontein. 

Duminy was vice-captain of the South Africa Twenty20 team and played as a left-handed batsman and a right-arm off-spin bowler. 

The now-retired cricket star ended his career having scored 15 928 runs and taking 209 wickets.

So, what's life like for Duminy now post-retirement?

When he's not playing guitar, the cricket legend is focused on giving back to communities which he believes is his purpose.

The JP21 Foundation is at the heart of how he spends his time. 

The organisation focuses on bringing cricket, coaches and resources into primary schools while coordinating, facilitating and providing after-school cricket and lifestyle programs.

In-season, the foundation runs through about 1500 to 2000 kids, playing four times a week. 

Duminy explains that when the group started, it was all about getting kids in vulnerable communities off the streets.

Now, these kids are excited to come to school because of the after-school cricket program they're part of.

The foundation celebrates 10 years of success this year, hosting a Gala Dinner on 2 November to celebrate all its incredible work. 

For Duminy, the foundation is about seeing kids come out of it and make something of themselves.

He adds that he wants to use his credibility to serve others, deriving purpose while in retirement.

"My dad taught me that you use your success to give someone else an opportunity. So, even though I've retired, I want to use my credibility not to serve myself but to serve others. If we think purpose and if we think bigger than ourselves - and we think that we can change lives and if we ask, what does the next person need from me? Then, that's what gives me purpose in life."

- JP Duminy, Former Protea cricketer

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.