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Empowering women through sports: South Africa’s inspirational role models
Empowering women through sports: South Africa’s inspirational role models
South Africa has been gripped by the success of its women soccer stars, as Banyana Banyana won their first Women’s African Cup of Nations title. The team will now automatically qualify for the World Cup. On their return home, President Cyril Ramaphosa applauded the players, saying the hearts of South Africans are filled with pride. “Welcome home, champions of Africa. You are the Golden Girls of our country. You are the queens of Africa," President Ramaphosa said.
The win will hopefully highlight the exceptional sporting talent of South Africa’s female players, Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis says - and this will serve to encourage more girls to take up sports. No stranger to accolades in her own right, Desiree won the African Coach of the Year award for the third time at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in Rabat this year. Research led by UN Women and the Sport for Generation Equality Initiative has shown that sports have the power to drive gender equality by teaching women and girls skills like teamwork, self-reliance, resilience, leadership and confidence. These in turn can reduce inequality between men and women in many other spheres of life; it can encourage female leadership in the workplace, reduce gender-based violence, and also promote women’s equal economic participation. South Africa has numerous inspiring sportswomen garnering acclaim on the inspirational sports arena.
Lara van Niekerk, swimmer
South Africa’s first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham went to 19-year old Lara van Niekerk, who won in a Games’ record of 29.73 in the 50m breaststroke - a record she’d already broken twice in the preliminary stages of the Games. Just days later she added to her tally by winning the 100m breaststroke. Lara is no stranger to the podium having come third at this year’s World Aquatics Championships in the 50m breaststroke, which earned her a place in the Commonwealth Games squad.
Noxolo Cesane, soccer player
Striker Noxolo Cesane made a name for herself at the recent Women’s African Cup of Nations, as she showed her skill against hosts Morocco to secure the win. Hailing from Gugulethu, she learnt to play soccer on the streets with boys in her neighbourhood. Although she was unable to afford soccer boots when she started playing club soccer, Noxolo has gone on to represent South Africa at U17, U19 and U20 level along with her twin sister Sinoxolo, before being called up to the national side.
Nolusindiso Booi, rugby player
The Springbok Women’s captain grew up in a rural village in Eastern Cape, but found the sport helped her to build the confidence to lead her team at an international level. Nolusindiso believes the sport has taught her the value of teamwork, discipline, and hard work. She is known for her strong leadership skills and a determined attitude, as well as being an excellent player, and has participated in two Rugby World Cups and has also represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens team.
Kgothatso Montjane, wheelchair tennis player
This Limpopo-born tennis player has made a name for herself on courts around the world, boasting incredible talent as both a singles and doubles player. Holding the top ranking on the continent, Kgothatso has also played Wimbledon finals for both singles and doubles. After going through a single amputation below the knee at the age of 12, she began her tennis career at the age of 19, when she received the equipment necessary for her to play wheelchair tennis. She has since gone on to be named South Africa’s Sportswoman with a Disability of the Year seven times.
Bongiwe Msomi, netball player
Bongiwe Msomi grew up in the township of Hammarsdale in Durban, where she had the daily tasks of hauling buckets of water home and collecting for her family. The sport has enabled her to transform her life, and that of her single-parent-headed family, by giving her the income to upgrade their living conditions and providing her with a university education. She played her first netball game at the age of 16. She started with borrowed kit, not having any shoes or training gear of her own and has since gone on to play in leagues in England and Australia. But her dream is to provide today’s generation of teens with someone they can look up to and learn skills from.
Tatjana Schoenmaker, swimmer
Tatjana Schoenmaker showed remarkable potential as a teenager, winning multiple medals at the African Games and the World Student Games. After falling short of qualifying for the Rio Olympics by 0.01 seconds, she came back to the Olympic stage with resounding success in Tokyo. She won a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke and set a world record and won gold in the 200m, becoming the first woman to break through the 2:19 barrier in the 200m. After her outstanding performance, Tatjana said that the Olympics had changed her life, leaving her standing as proof that anyone can change their life.
Madiba recognised that sport unites people - but it also has the potential to create gender equality and uplift women. Playing sport teaches the values of teamwork and leadership skills, while promoting health and education. Through witnessing the success of sportswomen, girls can aspire toward their own dreams.
Sources: http://tatjanaschoenmaker.com/ https://www.athletesvoice.com.au https://supersport.com https://www.bbc.com https://www.kgothatsomontjane.com https://www.researchgate.net https://www.rugbyworld.com https://www.unwomen.org https://www.news24.com https://www.iol.co.za https://www.springboks.rugby https://www.unwomen.org https://ewn.co.za https://www.timeslive.co.za https://www.dailymaverick.co.za
