Singing O Canada before Eskimos home games at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium means the world to Eulaine Ndhlovu.
The 21-year-old psychology student at Burman University in Lacombe, Alta., was born in Zimbabwe and moved to Canada when she was four years old.
Just being able to come to this country was special in itself for Ndhlovu, who is a perfect example of the CFL’s Diversity is Strength campaign.
“The fact I can come to a place that accepts us no matter where we come from, no matter what our heritage is, and then to allow me to be a part of something so patriotic is amazing to me,” said Ndhlovu.
“I personally haven’t seen anybody – even with my last name, where I come from – doing what I’m doing right now,” she added. “It’s normally people who were born here, but to be an immigrant and still be accepted and still be allowed to do something so amazing is just a blessing to me.”
Ndhlovu, who started singing the national anthem for the Eskimos last season, still gets visibly nervous singing in front of 30,000 or so spectators every game. She has an involuntary leg tremor that may also show up in other “really nerve-wracking circumstances.”
“Normally, whoever is signing (the words for the deaf community), they can see it, and they’re like, ‘Are you OK?’ ” she said.
“I’m fine; it’s normal,” she responds.
“It’s the weirdest thing, but as soon as I’m done singing, it just stops.”
Ndhlovu finished her fourth year at Burman U in April and will officially complete her Bachelor of Science program in December. She plans to pursue her master’s degree in psychology, but despite the nerves and the leg tremor, is also considering a possible career in music.
“Honestly, this is the most amazing thing that’s happened to me so far,” she said about singing at Eskimos games. “Through the experience, I’ve had with the Eskimos, I would like to see where music would take me, but it’s kind of seeing which one latches on first (music or psychology).
“I wouldn’t even know where to start, and that’s what kind of holds me back a bit,” she said about the possibility of a music career. “It’s just a little bit of the fear, but if the avenue was to open itself up, I would definitely explore that without hesitation.”
The highlight of Ndhlovu’s experience with the Eskimos to date is the Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night, presented by EPCOR. A pair of CF-18 Hornets did the flypast this year.
“I actually feel it (when the jets fly overhead),” she said. “It’s really cool to sing and then have that feeling because it’s like a relief that it’s over and then you see the planes, and it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh!’
“That’s a really thrilling one to sing at.”