Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande (born 8 March 1993) is a South African field hockey player for the South African national team.
International career She participated at the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup.
She captained the South African women's hockey team while she competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics. On 23 July 2021, Mbande shared the honour of serving as a flag bearer for South Africa, alongside swimmer player Chad le Clos, at the Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.Isaacson, David (22 July 2021). "Le Clos, Mbande reunite as flag-bearers at Tokyo opening ceremony after 2010 disaster". The Sowetan. Retrieved April 2, 2022."Chad le Clos, Phumelela Mbande to carry SA flag at Olympics opening ceremony". News24. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2022.Gleeson, Mark (23 July 2021). "Swimming-More tears for Bert as son Chad carries South African flag". Reuters. Retrieved 12 April 2022.Mohamed, Ashfak (23 July 2021). "Chad le Clos, Phumelela Mbande carry South African flag at Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony". Independent Online. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
Personal life She studied a Bcom Accounting sciences degree and a post graduate diploma in accounting at the university of Pretoria, graduating in 2016. She qualified as a chartered accountant (South Africa) in 2019 and is an external audit manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In September 2022, she married Malusi Hlophe.
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