WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
FEATURE
ISSUE 01 | 1 AUGUST 2026
MEGAN
FAUL
leadership
has no
gender.
INJURY AND RETURN:
THE HONEST
TIMELINE FOR
FEMALE ATHLETES
Sun Protection -
Sponsorship Decoded
Mindfulness &
Performance
COVER STORY
FEATURES
Inside the journeys,
Inside the journeys,
science and stories
science and stories
shaping women in sport.
shaping women in sport.
Akhona Makalima
Akhona Makalima
and the rise of
and the rise of
women in sport
women in sport
leadership
leadership
What it really takes
to recover, rebuild,
and reclaim your
place at the top
The 4-step roadmap
to winning in the
boardroom
Train your mind to
match your body
COURTNAÉ
PAUL
HEALTH:
BUSINESS:
WELLNESS:
BEAUTY:
Essential coverage
on and off the field
Financial Literacy for
the Modern Athlete
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WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
ISSUE 01
04
05
22
30
20
37
FROM THE TEAM
A Note to Our Readers—
Building the Future of Sport
Together
LEADERSHIP & COVER
STORIES
Leadership Has No Gender
Why authority, vision, and
executive impact know no
bounds on or off the pitch.
HEALTH & HIGH PERFORMANCE
Injury & Return: The Honest Timeline for
Female Athletes
The raw, unvarnished truth about
recovery, physical rebuilding, and the
psychological journey back to the top.
MINDFULNESS & PERFORMANCE
Conditioning mental stamina to match physical excellence
under pressure.
FINANCE & ENTERPRISE
Financial Literacy for the Modern Athlete Smart wealth
management, contract negotiation, and building career
longevity long after the final whistle.
LIFESTYLE & ESSENTIALS
Sun Protection
Essential high-performance skin coverage built for training
under extreme elements.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Publisher and Creative Director
Sine Vulindlu
Managing Editor
Lihua Muntu Bongo
Writer
Mamello Monyake
DESIGN
Art Director and Designer
Keba Sejosengwe
CONTACT US
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WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
FEATURE
Welcome to Issue 01
Together, let's change the game.
— The KNL COMMUNICATIONS Team
To Our Readers, Welcome to the inaugural issue of WISA Magazine!
This publication was built on a shared conviction, that excellence in sport
extends far beyond the field, track, or court. While victories on the podium
capture headlines, the long-term future of athletes and sports organizations
is forged behind the scenes, in strategy, advocacy, and the boardroom. In
this opening issue, we dive deep into actionable frameworks designed to
empower sports leaders, managers, and athletes alike. From demystifying
commercial partnerships to highlighting key voices shaping the ecosystem,
every page is crafted to inspire and equip you.
Thank you for joining us at the starting line of this journey.
COURTNAÉ PAUL:
The Beat, The Break,
The Brilliance
here are some people who
enter a room quietly. Then
there are people like Courtnaé
Paul.
The music is never off for long around
her. Silence, she laughs, has never
really been her thing. Whether she
is preparing for a performance,
DJing an event, choreographing a
campaign or spending time with
loved ones, there is always rhythm
nearby. Warm, funny and effortlessly
charismatic, Courtnaé has the kind of
energy that fills a room long before
she steps onto a stage.
Born and raised in Durban, Courtnaé
grew up in a Methodist household
while also spending time in
Pentecostal church spaces through
family and friends. Church halls,
family gatherings and celebrations
became some of her earliest stages.
Her parents were known for bringing
people together, creating a home
filled with music, laughter and
movement.
"We always knew we had rhythm as a
family," she reflects.
Growing up, music was never simply
something playing in the background
— it was part of everyday life.
Whether at church, family gatherings
or community events, Courtnaé
was surrounded by people who
celebrated through movement, song
and connection. Long before she
understood breaking as an art form
or sport, she had already developed
a deep understanding of rhythm,
expression and performance.
Long before she knew what breaking
was, Courtnaé already understood
rhythm. Without formal training or
access to specialised resources,
she developed her craft through
observation, repetition and relentless
practice. She watched, practised,
repeated and perfected.
We always knew
we had rhythm as
a family. Music was
never something we
listened to — it was
something we lived.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
By Mamello Monyake
From church halls in Durban to international stages and
Olympic dreams, South African B-girl Courtnaé Paul has built a
career defined by rhythm, resilience and reinvention. A dancer,
DJ, choreographer, creative director and cultural force, she
continues to prove that there are no limits to what women can
achieve.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
talent, versatility and relentless work
ethic have seen her collaborate
with brands including Mercedes-
Benz, Volkswagen, Jeep, Red Bull,
Shield Rexona SA, Absa, Telkom and
Cell C. She has also shared stages
with international artists including
Lil Wayne, Burna Boy and Banky W,
while choreographing and touring
with South African stars such as
Toya Delazy, Khuli Chana, AKA and
Mafikizolo.
Yet what makes Courtnaé remarkable
is not simply the number of stages
she has stood on, but the way she
has continually reinvented herself.
A dancer. A breaker. A
choreographer. A DJ. A creative
director. A cultural curator.
When the COVID-19 pandemic
brought the entertainment industry
to a standstill, Courtnaé adapted.
She embraced DJing and digital
content creation while rediscovering
her passion for competitive breaking.
Competing in the Red Bull BC One
e-battles during lockdown, she
placed among the top 32 breakers
globally, reigniting her confidence
and changing the course of her
career.
In 2021, she claimed her first national
title at the Red Bull BC One South
Africa Cypher, earning the opportunity
to represent South Africa at the World
Final Last Chance Cypher in Gdańsk,
Poland. Since then, she has become
a five-time South African champion,
a two-time African champion and
a SAHHA DJ of the Year nominee.
Now training under UK-based coach
AJ47, she continues to push African
breaking onto the global stage.
But for Courtnaé, competing has
never only been about winning.
Her Olympic qualification journey
exposed the enormous disparities
between nations. While many
competitors travelled with coaches,
physiotherapists and full support
teams, Courtnaé often navigated
international competitions with
minimal support. During one qualifier
in Japan, she injured her shoulder
during warm-up and had to manage
the setback largely on her own.
Rather than becoming discouraged,
she became more determined.
Her mission extends beyond personal
achievement. Through projects
such as It Takes Two, she continues
creating spaces that celebrate
movement, music and culture
while building a roadmap for future
generations of African breakers. She
believes Africa has always had the
talent; what it needs is opportunity,
investment and belief.
Yet behind the achievements lies a
woman who has endured profound
loss. Courtnaé lost her father at the
age of 13 and, more recently, her
mother. She has survived experiences
including being hijacked and
acknowledges that life has tested her
in ways many people may never fully
understand.
Still, she remains exactly who those
closest to her know her to be warm,
vibrant, passionate and full of life.
"I never want to close doors behind
me," she says. "I want others to walk
through them too."
From church halls in Durban to
global stages, Courtnaé Paul's
story is ultimately about possibility.
More than building a career, she is
building a blueprint. And if her journey
has taught us anything, it is that
sometimes the people who refuse
to sit quietly are the very ones who
change the rhythm of the world.
As a child, she was never interested
in staying inside the lines. She played
soccer, participated in gymnastics
and kickboxing, and constantly
questioned why certain activities were
considered "for boys." Unknowingly,
these experiences were helping
her build the strength, agility and
fearlessness that would later define
her unique breaking style.
"I've always asked one question: why
can't girls do the cool stuff too?" she
says.
At just 15 years old, Courtnaé landed
her first professional dance gig. It was
not paid, but that did not matter. She
loved the idea of being a professional
dancer. For the first time, she saw the
possibility of building a life around
movement and performance.
While pursuing her passion for dance,
Courtnaé was studying towards
a BCom degree. However, when
opportunities in the entertainment
industry began opening up, she
found herself at a crossroads. Armed
with little more than determination
and approximately R600, she
made the bold decision to move
to Johannesburg and pursue her
dream.
The gamble paid off.
Today, Courtnaé Paul is recognised
as one of South Africa's leading
B-girls, dancers, choreographers,
DJs and creative directors. Her
HOW MEGAN FAUL
TURNED DETERMINATION
INTO RECORD-BREAKING
STRENGTH
egan Faul was leading the
race when disaster struck.
The Grade 2 learner had
done everything right. She cleared
the hurdles, pulled ahead of the field
and was moments away from victory.
Then, just before the finish line, she
fell.
For many children, the race would
have ended there. But Faul got back
up and crossed the line anyway.
Years later, that childhood moment
remains one of the clearest
reflections of the athlete she would
become. Not because she won, but
because she finished.
“It was never about winning, but
finishing,” she says when reflecting
on the values instilled in her by her
family.
Today, Faul is one of South Africa’s
most accomplished strength athletes.
A national champion and record-
breaking powerlifter, her journey
has been shaped by perseverance,
adaptability and a relentless work
ethic.
Sport has always been part of her
identity. According to her biography,
she skipped crawling and went
straight to walking. From the moment
she could move, she wanted to be
active.
Growing up, she participated in
swimming, athletics and hurdles.
Although her school did not have
elite sporting facilities, she embraced
every opportunity available to her. A
supportive teacher helped nurture her
talent and encouraged her passion
for sport.
At home, she had an equally strong
support system. Her mother, who
affectionately calls her “Megastar”,
together with her brother and
grandmother, became her biggest
cheerleaders. They celebrated effort
as much as achievement and taught
her that true success comes from
seeing a challenge through to the
end.
From falling at the final hurdle in Grade 2 to breaking South
African and African records on the world stage, Megan Faul’s
journey is a story of resilience, discipline and an unwavering
determination to keep going.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
By Mamello Monyake
Those lessons would become
invaluable throughout her sporting
journey.
Faul believes sport is one of
life’s greatest teachers. Different
sporting codes developed different
qualities within her, from patience
and discipline to resilience and
determination. Like many aspiring
athletes, she also found inspiration
in watching the Olympic Games
on television and dreaming of
competing on the biggest stages.
Not every sporting pursuit became
a lifelong passion. At one stage, Faul
trained extensively for a triathlon,
only to realise it was not something
she truly enjoyed. Rather than forcing
herself to continue, she chose a
different path. The experience
reinforced a lesson she still believes in
today: pursue what makes you happy
and avoid the burnout that comes
from chasing something that no
longer inspires you.
One of the defining chapters of her
athletic career came through the
Virgin Active Grid Game competition.
What began with a simple pamphlet
quickly evolved into a major
opportunity.
Faul progressed from gym-level
competition to provincial and national
stages, winning at every level. Then
came a significant setback.
Between gym-level competition and
provincials, she broke her arm.
For many athletes, such an injury
could have derailed months of
preparation. Instead, Faul adapted.
She trained carefully, focused on
recovery and remained committed to
her goals.
Her perseverance paid off. She
continued advancing through
the competition and eventually
triumphed at the global finals against
competitors from around the world.
The experience reinforced a lesson
she would carry throughout her
career: obstacles may slow you
down, but they do not have to stop
you.
That mindset became especially
important when she discovered
powerlifting.
Already recognised for her strength
through CrossFit, Faul’s potential
became clear when she successfully
completed a 180kg squat during a
training session. Those around her
immediately recognised that she
possessed something special.
What followed was a rapid rise
through the ranks of South African
powerlifting.
Through discipline, consistency and a
willingness to learn, Faul transformed
herself into one of Africa’s strongest
athletes. Her breakthrough came
when she represented South Africa at
the World Games in China.
Competing against some of the
strongest women in the world,
Faul produced a total lift of 545kg
across the squat, bench press and
deadlift disciplines. The performance
shattered two South African records
and one African record, cementing
her place among the continent’s elite.
Behind the achievement, however,
was a battle that few people saw.
Faul has spoken openly about
moments of self-doubt during her
preparation. Some training sessions
were emotionally draining, yet she
continued showing up, trusting the
process and putting in the work.
For young athletes, particularly young
girls, Faul represents something
powerful. She challenges outdated
perceptions about women and
strength while encouraging others to
embrace their abilities without apology.
Her message is simple: do not be
afraid to be strong.
Looking back on her journey, Faul often
draws inspiration from the younger
version of herself! the little girl with
big dreams who refused to stay down
after a fall.
Today, she is a national champion, a
record holder and a role model. But
perhaps her greatest achievement is
proving that success is not reserved for
those who never stumble.
It belongs to those who get back up.
From a Grade 2 hurdles race to the
world stage, Megan Faul’s story has
been defined by courage, persistence
and purpose. Records may one day
be broken, but the lesson at the heart
of her journey will remain timeless:
greatness is not measured by how
often you win.
It is measured by your willingness
to finish.
“Little Megan. A little
girl from a poor
upbringing with big
dreams. That’s who
inspires me most.”
“Don’t be afraid to be
as strong as the boys.
Being strong is cool.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
Fun Facts
1.
Before DJing festivals and stages around the
world, I made my radio debut on DJ Fresh's 5FM
show.
2.
Growing up, I participated in gymnastics, soccer,
kickboxing, and athletics.
3.
My first professional dance job was a Bollywood
show in Durban when I was 15 years old.
4.
My breaking journey has been featured by Forbes
Africa, the BBC, CNN, and Olympics.com.
5.
I'm a GSport GAL recipient, recognised for helping
bring greater visibility to breaking.
6.
I love plants and I'm always finding new ways to
upgrade our garden.
7.
Tea over coffee. Always.
8.
I'm a social person, but I'm also in bed by 9 p.m.
9.
I have two sisters, and people constantly mistake
us for one another because we look so alike.
10. I have two pups who completely run my life.
about our cover stars...
Megan Faul
Megan Faul
1.
I sleepwalk, and over the years it’s led to some
pretty crazy moments.
2.
A peanut butter and jam sandwich is my all-
time favourite thing to eat.
3.
I’m left-handed.
4.
Cats over dogs. Every time.
5.
I don’t like pineapples.
6.
I can lift more than most people think is
possible... but I’ll still ask someone else to open
a stubborn pickle jar
Courtnae Paul
Courtnae Paul
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
10
LEADING STORIES
THE NEXT
Meet Tumi Ramokgopa, South
Africa’s Rising Hurdles Star
t just 18 years old, the young
hurdler is quickly becoming
one of the most exciting
names in South African
athletics. While many sports fans
are only beginning to discover her,
Ramokgopa has alrady shown that
she has the talent, determination
and work ethic needed to compete
among the country’s brightest young
stars.
Her rise has been nothing short
of impressive. With a blistering
performance in the 100m hurdles,
Ramokgopa clocked 12.93 seconds
to set a new South African Under-20
record, instantly placing herself
among the nation’s most promising
athletics prospects. It was the kind of
performance that turns heads and
sparks conversations about what
could come next.
But behind every standout
performance is a story that starts
long before the applause.
For Ramokgopa, success is built in
the hours most people never see. It’s
the early mornings, the demanding
training sessions, the setbacks and
the determination to keep going when
things get tough. While medals and
records may grab the headlines, they
are only the visible rewards of years
of dedication.
That commitment is already payin off.
For many young athletes, the
biggest challenge isn’t talent, it’s
believing that their dreams are
possible. Ramokgopa’s rise serves
as a reminder that success doesn’t
happen overnight. It is built one
training session, one race and one
goal at a time. As she continues to
break barriers on the track, she is also
inspiring a new generation of young
women to believe that they belong in
sport and that their ambitions matter.
At an age when many teenagers
are still trying to figure out who
they want to be, Ramokgopa is
building a reputation as an athlete
with the potential to make a lasting
impact on South African sport. Her
performances have generated
excitement among athletics
supporters who believe she could be
one of the country’s future stars on
the international stage.
What makes her journey particularly
inspiring is what it represents for
young girls across South Africa. Every
weekend, on school sports fields and
community tracks, young athletes
dream of one day wearing national
colours. Ramokgopa’s story is proof
that those dreams are worth chasing.
She is part of a new generation of
women who are redefining what
success in sport looks like. Fearless,
focused and determined, they
are stepping onto the track with
confidence and showing that talent
knows no age.
The road ahead is still filled with
challenges, tougher competitions
and bigger expectations. But if her
performances so far are anything to
go by, Ramokgopa has the mindset
to embrace every opportunity that
comes her way.
For now, she remains a rising star. But
perhaps not for much longer.
Remember the name Tumi
Ramokgopa. The future of South
African athletics is already gathering
speed, and she is leading the charge.
NAME TO KNOW
Some athletes spend years chasing
their breakthrough moment. For
Tumi Ramokgopa, it seems to be
chasing her.
Remember the name
Tumi Ramokgopa.
The future of South
African athletics is
already gathering
speed, and she is
leading the charge.
By Mamello Monyake
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
11
FEATURE
FULL-PAGE
AD
REAL STORIES. REAL WOMEN.
THE FULL PICTURE OF WOMEN
IN AFRICAN SPORT
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
12
WOMEN IN SPORT
PRUDENCE SEKGODISO:
Running Towards Greatness
here is something captivating about watching an
athlete step into their moment. Not because they
suddenly become great, but because the rest of
the world finally catches up to what they’ve known
about themselves all along.
For South African middle-distance sensation Prudence
Sekgodiso, that moment is happening right now.
At just 24 years old, the Limpopo-born runner has
emerged as one of the brightest stars in global athletics,
carrying not only the hopes of a nation but also the
confidence, determination and fearlessness that define
a new generation of South African sportswomen. With
every race, she continues to prove that she is not simply
competing on the international stage…she is shaping it.
From humble beginnings to competing against some
of the world’s fastest women, Sekgodiso’s journey has
been one of perseverance, discipline and an unwavering
commitment to excellence. Long before international
podiums and global recognition, she was a young girl with
a dream and a pair of running shoes, determined to see
just how far her talent could take her.
That determination has paid off.
Over the past few years, Sekgodiso has steadily
established herself as one of Africa’s premier middle-
distance runners. Whether representing South Africa at
major championships, breaking personal barriers, or
challenging the world’s best athletes on the Diamond
League circuit, she has consistently demonstrated that she
belongs among the elite.
The past two seasons, however; have elevated her career
to an entirely new level.
After earning her place among the world’s top athletes
at the Paris Olympic Games, where she reached the
women’s 800m final in her Olympic debut, Sekgodiso
returned stronger, wiser and hungrier for success.
She went on to make history by becoming the first South
African woman to win a gold medal at the World Athletics
Indoor Championships in the 800 metres, a moment that
not only marked a personal triumph but also a landmark
achievement for South African athletics.
And she hasn’t slowed down since.
This season has seen Sekgodiso continue her
impressive rise, producing standout performances on
the international circuit and securing multiple podium
finishes against world-class competition. Her recent
performances have further cemented her reputation
as one of the most exciting athletes in middle-distance
running today.
Beyond the medals, records and accolades, what makes
Sekgodiso so compelling is her mindset. She represents a
generation of athletes who are fearless in their ambition,
unapologetic in their pursuit of excellence and committed
to creating their own legacy.
Her influence extends far beyond the track. Recognition
on prestigious platforms such as Forbes Africa’s 30 Under
30 list speaks not only to her athletic achievements but
also to her growing impact as a young African woman
breaking barriers and inspiring others to dream bigger.
As South Africa continues to celebrate her achievements,
one thing has become increasingly clear: Prudence
Sekgodiso is not merely participating in history she is
creating it.
At just 24 years old, her story is still being written.
And if her journey so far is anything to go by, the
best chapters may still lie ahead.
By Mamello Monyake
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
13
WOMEN IN SPORT
Akhona Makalima’s
Unstoppable Rise
hen Akhona Makalima
officiated her first
Premier Soccer League
match between Tuks
and Black Aces, she stepped onto
the field knowing she would face
more than the pressure of making the
right calls. As one of the few women
officiating men’s football at the time,
she found herself under intense
scrutiny from supporters, players and
the media.
Some questioned her authority before
the match had even begun.
“A referee is a woman, we’re going to
lose this game,” she recalls hearing
from the crowd.
The comments made her question
her position and some of her
decisions, but they also revealed
the resilience that would define her
career.
Raised by her grandfather, a priest,
and influenced by a family of
educators and community leaders,
Makalima grew up surrounded by
discipline, faith and leadership. Her
grandmother was a school principal,
and leadership was a value deeply
rooted in her upbringing.
“I come from a family of leaders,” she
says.
Although she initially dreamed of
becoming a professional football
player, Makalima discovered
refereeing while studying at college
through a South African Football
Association programme aimed at
developing female officials. She
embraced the opportunity in 2011 and
began building a career in a space
where women were often overlooked.
The journey was not easy. As she
progressed through the ranks,
she regularly faced criticism and
sexism from those who believed
football officiating belonged to men.
Rather than allowing the negativity
to discourage her, she used it as
motivation to improve and prove
herself.
Faith became one of her greatest
sources of strength. Makalima
believes her talent is a gift from God
and says she glorifies Him through
her work. Before every match, she
quietly says a prayer while carrying
the ball onto the field: “God, guide
me.”
She also credits discipline for her
success. On match days, she limits
distractions and focuses entirely
on preparing mentally for the
responsibility ahead.
Her dedication earned her FIFA
accreditation and, in 2023, one
of the proudest moments of her
career when she was selected to
officiate at the FIFA Women’s World
Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Representing South Africa, her
family and her association on the
global stage was deeply fulfilling.
Yet behind the achievement was a
personal battle. Fear of injury before
the tournament created immense
pressure, which she admits nearly
pushed her into depression.
Today, Makalima’s impact extends
beyond the pitch. Through the She-
Ref Foundation and the Inter-Ref
Summit, she is helping create support
systems and opportunities for female
referees across Africa. Her efforts
have also earned recognition as one
of Forbes Africa’s 40 Under 40.
From the Eastern Cape to the world’s
biggest football stage, Akhona
Makalima’s story is one of courage,
faith and perseverance. More
importantly, it is proof that leadership
is not defined by gender, but by
character.
The preparation was not difficult. The match day was.
My talent is a gift
from God and she
glorifies Him through
her work
By Mamello Monyake
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
14
WOMEN IN SPORT
here is a moment in every
coaching career that confirms
the path. For Nosipho Njokweni,
Johannesburg Giants Ladies
head coach and founder of Amante
Stars Basketball Academy, that
moment did not happen on a court. It
happened everywhere she went.
No matter where she played, whether
in South Africa or overseas; she found
herself coaching. Helping teammates,
mentoring younger players, running
sessions. Coaching was not
something she did. It was something
she was.
A Game That Chose Her
Her introduction to basketball came
at 12, when an older brother arrived
home with a ball just as Michael
Jordan was cementing his legacy
with the Chicago Bulls. Curiosity
became passion, and passion
became purpose; but the coaching
instinct was shaped even earlier, by a
grandmother who opened her home
to the neighbourhood’s children,
offered guidance, and made sure no
young person went hungry.
“Coaching is about far more than
teaching skills or winning games, it
is about mentoring young people,
building character, creating
opportunities, and using sport as a
tool to change lives,” Nosipho says.
She began by running community
basketball and netball clinics in a
neighbourhood navigating gang
violence, drugs and crime. The
clinics were never just about sport.
They were a safe space. And
they confirmed that her greatest
contribution to the game would not
come as a player, but as a builder of
people.
Breaking Through
Despite representing her province
and the national team as a player,
breaking into coaching came with
a different kind of resistance. Male
coaches questioned her knowledge,
her decisions and her authority; not
because of her record, but because
of her gender. Earning respect
required a level of proof her male
counterparts were never asked to
provide.
Her commitment to women’s
basketball added another layer of
friction. She was passionate about
changing how the women’s game
was coached, developed and
perceived. Not everyone welcomed
that vision.
She refused to let the resistance
define her. Instead, it sharpened her
resolve to create better opportunities
for the next generation of female
basketball players.
The Johannesburg Giants and a
New Chapter
In December 2025, she was
approached by club CEO Mr. Gwenya
to take over as Head Coach of the
newly established Johannesburg
Giants Ladies. The timing was right
in a way it had not been before. Her
children were older; her experience
was deeper; and the opportunity to
build something from the ground up
aligned with everything she had been
working toward.
Her vision for the club is clear: to
develop players into professional
athletes while building one of
the leading women’s basketball
programmes in the country. The
foundation is built on love, respect,
discipline and accountability.
She wants the Giants to be known
not only for competing at the highest
level, but for producing exceptional
leaders and role models.
Motherhood Changed Everything
Nosipho became a mother at 38,
at 39, she experienced the loss
of her second child; a grief that
taught her resilience and deepened
her compassion. At 41 and 42, she
welcomed her third and fourth
children. She says motherhood
has been the most transformative
experience of her life.
More Than a Coach,
More Than a Mother
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
15
WOMEN IN SPORT
Before children, she was a strict
coach, focused on instructions,
discipline and results. Motherhood
softened that without weakening it.
She learned patience, to listen, and
she began to understand each player
as an individual with unique needs,
goals and challenges.
“Being a mother has made me a
better coach because it has taught
me that developing people is just as
important as developing athletes,”
she says.
A Typical Week Has No Quiet
Hours
Her day begins at 6:00 am. Three
children are prepared for school and
dropped off by 7:00 am. Afternoons
bring the school run, homework,
dinner, bath time and evening
affirmations and prayer; a family
ritual that grounds them. Once the
children are asleep, the laundry gets
done, lunches are packed and the
house is prepared for the next day.
During basketball season, training
sessions are added to every side of
that equation.
In summer, the children come to
practice. In winter, a trusted person
stays with them while she coaches;
and throughout the year, her best
friend Monalisa Maphumulo, whom
she describes as a sister and a
second mother to her children, steps
in whenever travel or long match
days demand it.
“Raising children is not something we
do alone, it truly takes a community,
she says.
The Hardest Part
The hardest moments are the
departures. Leaving her children
to travel for tournaments, missing
bedtime routines and school
activities, carrying the quiet guilt that
most coaching mothers know well.
She handles it by being fully present
when she is home, and by reminding
herself of what she is modelling.
“I want them to see that it is possible
to pursue your dreams while
remaining committed to your family.”
There has been judgement,
comments about her children being
at training, comparisons to male
coaches, criticism after a television
interview in which she held her baby
daughter. She wears that moment
differently now; it did not represent
a conflict between her roles; it
represented the fullness of who she is.
What She Wants to See Change
She calls for sporting environments
that are practically family-friendly;
venues and training facilities with
safe childcare spaces, investment
in female coaches through courses,
mentorship and leadership
development, and an end to the
gendered scrutiny that evaluates
mothers in coaching differently to
fathers.
“Motherhood should never be viewed
as a limitation. It brings empathy,
resilience, patience and leadership
- qualities that make exceptional
coaches.”
The Legacy She Is Building
Nosipho still hopes to complete her
Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
She wants the Johannesburg Giants
Ladies to become the best women’s
basketball club in Africa, and she
wants her children to grow into kind,
confident human beings who are not
afraid to chase what they believe is
possible.
She says that success is not measured
only by trophies; it is measured by
the lives impacted, the opportunities
created and the legacy left behind.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
16
WOMEN IN SPORT
HALF-PAGE
AD + SPORT
LAW
FEATURE
FEMALE TEAM
JHB GIANTS
BASKETBALL
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
17
WOMEN IN SPORT
or female athletes thinking
beyond their playing careers,
coaching is one of the most
natural and impactful transitions
available. But the path to becoming a
certified coach in Africa is not always
clearly signposted. Understanding
how the licensing system works,
what qualifications are recognised
and where the opportunities for
women specifically exist is the first
step toward making that move with
confidence.
How the CAF Coaching Pathway
Works
The Confederation of African Football
governs the primary coaching licence
structure for football across the
continent, and its framework applies
to all CAF inter-club competitions,
the CAF Women's Champions League
and every national team operating
under CAF jurisdiction.
The pathway runs through
progressive licence levels, starting at
D and moving upward through C, B, A
and ultimately the CAF Pro Coaching
Licence, which is administered
directly by CAF to ensure centralised
oversight and consistent standards.
Each level builds on the previous one,
with increasing requirements around
coaching experience, theoretical
knowledge and practical assessment.
According to CAF's newly adopted
Coaching Convention, introduced in
December 2024 and now in full effect,
coaches who do not possess the
required certification must regularise
their qualifications in line with the
new framework, with a two-season
grace period granted for coaches
with valid contracts signed prior to
implementation. For women entering
coaching now, that means starting
the process early and progressing
deliberately through the levels.
The Mandate for Women in
Coaching
One of the most significant
developments in African coaching
governance is a new gender
requirement tied directly to
competition eligibility.
According to the Ghana Football
Association, under the new CAF
Coaching Convention, in women's
competitions, either the head coach
or the assistant coach must be a
woman. This is a structural shift that
creates real demand for qualified
female coaches across the continent
and makes the investment in
certification more valuable than it has
ever been.
CAF has backed this mandate with
active development programmes.
According to CAF, the Women
Instructors Development Program
launched in March 2025 was
designed to enhance the skills
and expertise of women involved
in coaching education and
training across Africa, featuring 29
participants from 22 CAF member
associations, including national team
coaches and key figures from the
CAF Women's Champions League.
At national level, SAFA in South
Africa has been running SAFA/CAF B
Women's Licence Coaching Courses,
most recently in Johannesburg
in November 2025, while Ghana's
Football Association completed an
all-female CAF Licence C course
in 2026 in partnership with FIFA's
Women's Football Development
programme.
Where to Start
For women entering coaching at
grassroots or club level, the CAF D
or C licence is the practical starting
point. Applications go through
national football associations; SAFA
in South Africa, GFA in Ghana, NFF
in Nigeria; which run courses in
partnership with CAF and FIFA and
often offer scholarship opportunities
specifically for female coaches.
For those in non-football sports,
national federations across athletics,
netball, basketball and rugby run
their own accreditation programmes
aligned with international bodies.
South Africa's coaching landscape
is also regulated by COMENSA, the
Coaches and Mentors of South
Africa, which provides accreditation
for coaches across sports and
disciplines and connects practitioners
to the International Coaching
Federation's globally recognised
credentialing framework.
The infrastructure to become a
qualified coach in Africa is growing.
The barriers remain real, but the
pathways are there; and for women
who built their expertise on the field,
they are increasingly being built with
them in mind.
How to Become a
Certified Coach in Africa
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18
BUSINESS OF SPORT
THAT Women in Sport
Have Been Talking About
The Global Picture
The disparity starts at the top and
works its way down. According to
Adelphi University research, male
athletes in basketball, golf, football
and tennis earn anywhere from 15%
to nearly 100% more than female
athletes across salaries, prize money
and endorsements. In 2022, Lionel
Messi earned 87% more than Naomi
Osaka, one of the highest-paid
women in sport. UNESCO shared that
none of the 50 highest-paid athletes
on the Forbes 2023 list were women.
In football, the numbers are even
sharper. FIFA tripled the Women's
World Cup prize pool to $150 million
in 2025, which sounds significant until
it is placed alongside the men's prize
fund of over $400 million. Women's
teams competed for less than 40% of
what men's teams were awarded for
the same tournament.
What It Looks Like in Africa
In South Africa, the story of Banyana
Banyana captures the continental
reality. According to a South African
Parliamentary research paper, when
Banyana Banyana won the Women's
Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, SAFA
awarded their players R400,000 each
in bonuses. When Bafana Bafana
lost in the quarterfinals of AFCON
2019, each of their players received
R520,000 - R120,000 more than the
women who won the continent.
The BBC shared that South Africa
received $500,000 in prize money for
winning the 2022 WAFCON, Senegal
received $5 million for winning the
men's AFCON in the same year.
In the same month those prize
money figures circulated, Zambia
goalkeeper Hazel Nali and Nigeria
Football Federation executive Aisha
Falode were among the voices calling
publicly for a serious reckoning with
how women's football is valued on
the continent.
As recently as June 2025, Banyana
Banyana players boycotted training
ahead of the Women's Africa Cup
of Nations in Morocco over unpaid
salaries stretching back months.
The team had delivered consistently
on the continental and world stage.
The administrative response did not
match the performance.
Sponsorship: Where the Real Gap
Lives
Prize money is one dimension of the
problem, sponsorship is another.
According to the Mail and Guardian,
global revenue from women's sport
surpassed a billion dollars in 2024,
a 300% increase since 2021. In South
Africa, the rising profiles of
Banyana Banyana, the Proteas
women's cricket team and the
national netball squad are creating
genuine commercial opportunity; yet
access to that opportunity remains
uneven.
Banyana Banyana only narrowly
avoided a financial crisis in 2025
when Sasol renewed its sponsorship
after the previous cycle ended in
June, leaving the team briefly without
a primary sponsor. The commercial
infrastructure that sustains men's
sport at equivalent levels simply does
not yet exist for women.
The Shift That Is Possible
Progress exists; tennis has achieved
equal prize money across all four
Grand Slam tournaments, the World
Surf League has offered equal prize
money since 2019. On the other
hand, Standard Bank announced a
landmark sponsorship of Banyana
Banyana from 2026. These are
meaningful steps, but they are the
exception rather than the norm.
According to gsport4girls founder
Kass Naidoo, sponsorship will decide
the next decade of women's sport;
the results are already there. What
is needed now is investment that
matches them.
The Money Gap
The numbers have been available for years, the conversation, however, has
only recently become impossible to avoid. Across the world and across the
continent, women in sport are performing at the highest levels while being
paid a fraction of what their male counterparts earn for doing the same job.
That gap is a structural reality with consequences for careers, livelihoods
and the long-term sustainability of women's sport in Africa.
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19
BUSINESS OF SPORT
he landscape of sports
media and business in Africa
is undergoing a massive
cultural shift. For years, sports
sponsorship was viewed as a form
of "charity" or corporate goodwill.
Today, it is a high-stakes marketing
strategy. To help athletes and sports
managers navigate this landscape,
we have decoded the mechanics
of the sponsorship game, backed
by the principles of modern sports
marketing.
1. How Sports Sponsorship Works
At its core, modern sponsorship is a
commercial transaction of mutual
value. A brand does not give you
money or gear simply because you
are a talented athlete; they do it
because you own something they
want to borrow, which in this case
is the trusted attention of a highly
engaged audience.
As global sports marketing agency
IMG notes, athletes have evolved
from mere competitors into cultural
icons and lifestyle influencers. When
a brand partners with you, they are
integrating themselves into a cultural
ecosystem. They are "buying" your
credibility to build an emotional
connection with your followers.
2. Who Actually Gets Sponsored?
It is no longer just the gold medalists.
While elite, podium-finishing
athletes will always attract legacy
brands, the rise of digital media
has democratized the playing field.
Today, brands look for three core
criteria when evaluating potential
partnerships including the following:
Value Alignment: Brands want to work
with athletes whose personal values,
lifestyle, and public image match
their corporate and brand identity.
Audience Depth over Reach: A
localised athlete with 5,000 highly
engaged, passionate followers who
trust her recommendations is often
more valuable to a regional brand
than a national athlete with 100,000
passive, disconnected followers.
Professionalism Off the Field:
Managers and athletes who
understand legal obligations,
communication plans, and ROI
(Return on Investment) metrics
are highly favored by corporate
marketing departments.
3. How to Pitch: The Strategic
Roadmap
Winning a sponsor requires shifting
your mindset from a request for
help to a business proposal though
optimising what academic experts
in sports marketing emphasize, that
the most successful pitches rely on a
structured, professional approach.
Following a step-by-step roadmap
as an athlete or manager enhances
your chances of securing a
sponsorship deal:
1.
Alignment: Research and
Brand Mapping
Do not send mass emails.
Research brands that share your
values, target your demographic,
or actively sponsor your sport.
Look for natural synergies where
your audience matches their
target customer.
2.
The Portfolio: Build Your Digital
Media Kit
Create a clean, 2-page PDF
document. This must include
your athletic bio, key career
achievements, clear audience
demographics (age, gender,
location), and social media
engagement rates.
3.
Your Offer: Define Your
Activation Ideas
Do not just ask for money. Pitch
concrete "activation" ideas.
Explain exactly how you will
promote them: will you host
youth clinics, create custom
social media content, or wear
their logo on your kit during press
conferences? Be proactive with
your ideas and show initiative
and drive when approaching.
4. Making Contact: The Cold
Outreach
Find the brand’s marketing
manager, sports marketing
coordinator, or PR agency on
networking sites and channels
and send a concise, personalized
message focusing on how
you can help them reach their
business goals. This is an elevator
pitch to peak interest, make
it so that they have follow up
questions, not hesitations.
The era of waiting to be discovered
or relying on a federation's willingness
to divvy up their share of the crop
has reached its demise. Brands are
looking for business partners, with
their own goals and ideas on how
their collaboration can strengthen an
existing brand image or pivot it to a
new era in their brand identity. Build
your brand, own your narrative and
treat yourself as an enterprise that
you are.
How Sports
Sponsorships
Work, Who Gets
it and How to Pitch It:
SPONSORSHIP DECODED
The podium is only half the battle, now time to win the
boardroom
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
20
EDUCATION
he conversation around
women in sport has grown
significantly. Visibility is
rising, sponsorship deals are
increasing and more women are
entering professional sport than
ever before. But behind the highlight
moments, the financial reality for
many female athletes remains
precarious, and the tools to change
that start with financial literacy.
The Financial Reality Nobody
Talks About
According to research by Parity, a
platform advocating for women in
sport, 74% of professional women
athletes hold jobs outside of their
sport, and one in four works full-time
year-round in addition to training
an average of 22 hours or more per
week. Financial stress is widespread,
with 64% of athletes feeling very or
extremely stressed about money,
and 64% sometimes or frequently
considering early retirement due to
financial pressure.
The income itself is unpredictable.
Approximately 80% of athletes
surveyed earned under $5,000
from sponsorships in 2023, with 57%
facing unpredictable sponsorship
and endorsement opportunities
and 40% citing salary inconsistency
as a core challenge. For women
entering professional sport in Africa,
where structural support systems
are limited and media coverage of
women's sport remains uneven, these
pressures are amplified further.
Start With a Budget and Build
From There
According to Investec South Africa,
athletes often earn significant income
at a young age but face short
career spans, public scrutiny and
unpredictable futures, making money
management far more complex
than it appears. The first and most
important step is building a realistic
budget that accounts for both current
income and the reality that it will not
last forever.
The Sports Financial Literacy
Academy shared that the financial
planning for female athletes begins
with setting clear short-term
goals such as creating a budget
and building an emergency fund,
alongside longer-term goals such
as saving and investing early. An
emergency fund covering at least six
months of living expenses should be
in place before any other investment
decisions are made.
Know Your Value and Negotiate It
They further stated that female
athletes should research industry
benchmarks, understand their market
value through performance stats
and social media reach, and use
that data as the foundation of every
contract and sponsorship negotiation.
Accepting the first offer or failing to
review non-financial contract terms
like injury clauses and endorsement
provisions, are among the most
costly mistakes athletes make.
Merrill Lynch wealth advisors, says
peak career earnings for female
athletes tend to occur at a younger
age, which means capitalising quickly
on a financial plan is essential.
This includes diversifying income
streams beyond sport through
brand partnerships, content creation,
coaching or entrepreneurship; all of
which can be built during an active
career and sustained well beyond it.
Build a Team Around Your Money
No athlete manages performance
alone, and financial planning is
no different. The Sports Financial
Literacy Academy further states that
surrounding oneself with trusted
financial advisors who understand
the unique challenges of a female
athlete's career - from fluctuating
incomes to navigating sponsorship
deals; is one of the most important
decisions an athlete can make.
The career is finite. The financial
habits built inside it are not. Starting
early, spending intentionally and
planning beyond the game are the
moves that matter most.
Financial Literacy for Women
Entering Professional Sport