WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
FEATURE
ISSUE 04 | NOVEMBER 2026
MONYA
GREYVENSTEIN
Building a
Sustainable
Sporting Future
Who Holds
Who Holds
the Power?
the Power?
ONE TO WATCH:
ONE TO WATCH:
COVER STARS
FEATURES
EXCLUSIVE PROFILE
Football agent and attorney. Africa’s
Football agent and attorney. Africa’s
first female FIFA-accredited agent.
first female FIFA-accredited agent.
Founder, P Management.
Founder, P Management.
Founder, She Moves Rugby.
Founder, She Moves Rugby.
Winner, Woman in PR and
Winner, Woman in PR and
Sponsorship, gsport 2026.
Sponsorship, gsport 2026.
Abigail Smit
Emerging talent
making waves
and demanding
attention.
RACHEL ANKOMAH:
Academy founder, rugby
leader and the woman
telling Ghana’s sport
story
KARABO
MATHANG-TSHABUSE
From
From
Athletes to
Athletes to
Brands:
Brands:
The Business
of Sport:
Leadership, Legacy and
the New Economics of
Women’s Sport
BEAUTY
Sun Protection That
Survives Sweat —
Staying protected
under pressure.
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SPONSORED
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
ISSUE 04
05
08
13
14
36
KARABO —
More Than the Medal —
Exploring the journey, impact
and vision of one of women’s
sport’s rising voices.
MONYA —
Creating a Legacy —
Leadership, resilience
and purpose beyond
performance.
NEWS ROUNDUP —
The biggest headlines from the world of
women in sport.
ONE TO WATCH —
Emerging talent making waves and
demanding attention.
PIQUANT WATER —
Hydration, performance and recovery essentials.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Publisher and Creative Director
Sine Vulindlu
Managing Editor
Lihua Muntu Bongo
Writer
Mamello Monyake
DESIGN
Art Director and Designer
Keba Modisane
CONTACT US
Editorial Enquiries
info@knlcomms.co.za
mamello@knlcomms.co.za
Advertising and Partnerships
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FOLLOW US
KNL Communications -
Creators of WISA Magazine
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16
Rachel Akomah —
Ghana’s rugby voice, building the game
from Accra to the continent.
38
SAFE IN SPORT —
Creating environments where athletes can thrive.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS OF SPORT
NEWS & SHORTS
HEALTH & WELLNESS
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
FEATURE
Thank you for being part of a community that celebrates
achievement, champions opportunity, and believes in the power
of women to shape the future of sport.
— The WISA Magazine Team
Dear Readers, Welcome to Issue 04 of WISA Magazine. Sport is no longer confined to
scoreboards, podiums and championship trophies. Behind every athlete, team and
competition lies an ecosystem powered by investment, partnerships, governance, media,
innovation and leadership. As women’s sport continues its remarkable rise across Africa
and beyond, understanding the business behind the game has never been more important.
In this issue, we shine a spotlight on the people, decisions and industries shaping the future
of women’s sport in Africa. Our cover stories feature Karabo and Monya, two inspiring voices
whose journeys reflect the ambition, resilience and influence defining modern sport.
From conversations with trailblazing women leaders to insights into sponsorships, athlete
branding, financial planning and the growing commercial value of women’s sport, this
edition examines what happens both on and off the field. We also tackle pressing questions
about athlete representation, career sustainability and the opportunities emerging within
Africa’s rapidly evolving sports economy.
Alongside these features, you’ll find practical wellness advice, beauty innovations designed
for active lifestyles, industry updates and thought-provoking commentary from leaders
across the sporting landscape.
Whether you’re an athlete, executive, entrepreneur, administrator or passionate supporter of
women’s sport, we hope these pages leave you informed, inspired and ready to be part of
the movement shaping the future of sport.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
or Karabo Mathang-
Tshabuse, success has never
been just about contracts,
qualifications or making history.
It is about faith, family and creating
opportunities for others. From the
streets of Orlando East, Soweto, to
becoming South Africa’s first female
FIFA-recognised football agent
in 2009, her journey is a powerful
reminder that sometimes, the road to
greatness requires taking a different
route.
Before boardrooms, negotiations and
legal battles, there was a young girl
growing up in a community where
football was part of everyday life.
Childhood meant finishing chores,
racing outside and playing until the
streets had covered everyone in dust.
Whether playing one-pal football
with a brick or watching communities
celebrate their favourite teams, sport
was woven into her upbringing.
“I didn’t know it then, but those
experiences were shaping my
relationship with sport,” she reflects.
In 2007, P Management began
as a simple ambition: become
accredited, help players and coaches
secure better contracts, and grow
professionally. Nearly two decades
recalls a meeting during contract
negotiations when football executive
Bobby Motaung initially did not want
her present.
The experience reinforced an
important truth: qualifications
matter, but credibility must also be
demonstrated through consistent
work. Karabo remained determined
to represent her clients and establish
herself in an industry where women
could find their competence
questioned before they had an
opportunity to prove it.
Her journey, however, was not a
straight line.
Seven years into football
representation, frustrated by limited
progress and concerned about
players being exploited, she made
a decision that would reshape her
career: studying law. The transition
demanded significant sacrifices. P
Management retrenched staff, she
became financially dependent on
her husband while studying full-time,
and she continued raising their two
children.
Eventually, she graduated from the
University of the Witwatersrand with
her law degree cum laude, later
later, that vision has expanded to
creating international opportunities
for African footballers and raising
South Africa’s profile.
Her defining breakthrough arrived in
2009, after she passed the FIFA agent
examination on her third attempt.
The achievement was particularly
meaningful because she had failed
twice before.
“I remember an overwhelming sense
of elation!” she says, describing the
moment as a beautiful birthday gift
from God.
For young women watching her
journey, the milestone represented
more than a personal victory. It
challenged perceptions about who
could occupy influential spaces in
football. Yet holding the licence did
not automatically open doors. She
It communicated
that it was possible.
That our dreams
were valid.
KARABO
MATHANG-
TSHABUSE:
FAITH, FIGHT AND
A LEGACY BEYOND
FOOTBALL
By Mamello Monyake
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
completing professional training and
gaining experience at one of South
Africa’s leading law firms.
For Karabo, the qualification
represented a comeback.
Today, football representation
and law complement each other
in protecting athletes. Beyond
negotiating salaries, she examines
contractual obligations, termination
rights, remuneration and clauses that
could restrict a player’s future options.
Young footballers, particularly those
entering professional sport from
disadvantaged communities, need
to understand what they sign and
how those decisions could affect their
careers.
“A contract shouldn’t simply get a
player through the door,” she explains.
“It should protect their interests and
create a foundation for their career
development.”
She also challenges the perception
that agents are motivated only by
money. Behind every announced
transfer are hours of career planning,
player profiling, relationship-
building and difficult conversations.
Agents often support athletes
through injuries, financial pressures
and disappointing seasons, long
after public attention has moved
elsewhere.
Despite progress in South African
football, Karabo believes stronger
accountability is needed to
protect players from unscrupulous
representatives. She advocates
better education for athletes and
their families, improved development
pathways and greater collaboration
between clubs, agents, legal
professionals and governing bodies.
For women entering the business
of sport, visibility remains another
challenge. Many young women
do not realise that football offers
opportunities beyond playing, from
sports law and administration to
governance, commercial partnerships
and athlete development.
Her advice is direct: build expertise,
understand the business, nurture
professional relationships and do not
wait for everyone’s approval before
pursuing your place in the industry.
“Don’t be intimidated by people who
have been in the room longer than
you,” she says.
Yet perhaps the most revealing
part of Karabo’s story is how her
understanding of success has
changed. Following the loss of her
mother in 2025, she became more
intentional about protecting her
time and investing in meaningful
relationships.
Rooted in faith, she now places God
first, followed by family and work.
Ambition remains, but professional
achievement no longer defines her
entire identity.
Looking ahead, Karabo hopes her
contribution will strengthen football
representation and make the
journey easier for women following
behind her. She wants her legacy
to reflect someone who embraced
her opportunities, did the work and
helped move the game forward.
Her story is not simply about being
first. It is about persistence after
failure, courage when doors close
and the wisdom to recognise when a
different path may lead to the same
dream.
And for the next generation of women
in sport, her journey offers a powerful
message: where you begin does not
have to determine how far you can
go.
Time and rerouting
are not necessarily the
denial of a dream.
I’m just no longer
willing to confuse
making a living with
making a life.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
I can strike up a conversation with a stranger effortlessly,
but I dislike networking events. They feel too mechanical!
10 Fun Facts
about
Karabo
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
I love games when hosting, much to my family’s annoyance! I’m
a self-proclaimed 30 Seconds and Crazy Eight champion! 😂
I love a good holiday and take as many breaks as I
possibly can!
I love Africa! My dream is to visit and work in all 54
countries on the continent.
I studied politics and remain fascinated by it, especially US
politics. I have my favourite and least favourite presidents!
Universities are my happy place! The vibrant atmosphere
and smell of library books bring me joy.
I love dreaming up business ideas in my spare time. In my
mind, I can do it all!
I’m afraid of heights but love flying! Rollercoasters,
however, are a definite no!
I absolutely love breastfeeding. It’s such a beautiful
connection between mother and child.
I love a microphone, but I can’t sing to save my life!
Public speaking is my thing. 😂
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
MONYA
GREYVENSTEIN:
SHE MOVES THE
GAME, SHE CHANGES
THE RULES
By Mamello Monyake
onya Greyvenstein has
never been particularly
comfortable standing by
when something needs
to change. Whether advocating for
disadvantaged athletes as a schoolgirl
or challenging the commercial
structures surrounding women’s rugby
today, she has built her journey around
a simple belief: opportunities do not
always have to be handed to you.
Sometimes, you have to create them
yourself.
An entrepreneur, rugby agent and
passionate advocate for women,
Greyvenstein is the founder of She
Moves Rugby, an all-female rugby
agency working to expand the
commercial possibilities for women in
the sport. Her journey has not been a
straight line to success. It has involved
setbacks, rebuilding and finding
the courage to enter an industry
where women have not always been
welcomed into positions of influence.
In August 2026, she received the gsport
Woman in PR and Sponsorship award,
recognising her contribution to the
business of sport. Yet, for Greyvenstein,
the achievement represents more than
professional recognition. It reflects the
determination required to keep going
when the path ahead is uncertain.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Greyvenstein traces much of her
outlook to her years at Oranje
Meisieskool in Bloemfontein, where the
belief that women were capable of
achieving great things became part of
her foundation. Her interest in creating
opportunities for athletes began early.
At an athletics meeting, she witnessed
a talented athlete competing without
proper running spikes. Rather than
simply feeling sorry for the athlete, she
decided to act.
She rallied support at school and
organised an event exploring the
pressures of sport, bringing together
sports captains from schools across
Bloemfontein. With sponsorship
from Adidas, she used the proceeds
to purchase sporting apparel
for disadvantaged athletes. Her
entrepreneurial instincts were already
emerging. Having played hockey
herself, she also approached a brand
to negotiate product sponsorship for
her team in exchange for exposure.
Long before she understood the
business of sport as a career, she was
From fighting for her place in rugby to building commercial
opportunities for women athletes, Monya Greyvenstein is
challenging the industry to see women’s sport as more than a
game. Through She Moves Rugby, she is helping turn visibility
into value and ambition into opportunity.
learning how to connect a need with
an opportunity.
The late Miss Mathee, her school
principal…left her with words that
stayed with her long after she
graduated: “I can’t wait to see what you
do with your life.”
Greyvenstein recalls her reaction with
characteristic humour. “Oh shit, now I
actually have to do something!”
Beneath the joke was an early
understanding of responsibility:
recognising potential was one thing,
but doing something meaningful with it
was another.
FINDING HER PLACE IN RUGBY
Although rugby was where
Greyvenstein ultimately wanted to
build her career, establishing herself
in the industry proved difficult.
She encountered unpaid work,
discouragement and attitudes that
appeared to limit the roles available
to women. Rather than accept
those limitations, she pursued other
entrepreneurial interests, building
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
LEADING STORIES
businesses outside sport. However,
after going through a divorce shortly
before the COVID-19 pandemic and
subsequently losing her businesses
during that period, she found herself
rebuilding her life and career.
Rock bottom, she discovered, could
also be a starting point. “If I’m going
to start over anyway, why not finally
pursue what I’ve always wanted to
do?” she remembers thinking. She
committed herself to becoming a
rugby agent, determined to earn her
South African Rugby Union (SARU)
accreditation and prove she belonged.
After passing the examination, she was
the only woman actively working as a
rugby agent in South Africa at
the time.
Initially, suggestions that she focus
on women’s rugby frustrated her.
She interpreted them as a possible
indication that others doubted her
ability to succeed in men’s rugby.
That perspective changed after
meeting Libbie. During the flight home,
Greyvenstein began considering how
her strongest skill-creating commercial
opportunities could be applied to
female athletes. She recognised that
women rugby players could appeal
to brands across industries extending
far beyond traditional sporting
sponsorship.
The opportunity was compelling,
but the market was not yet ready to
embrace it fully. Rather than wait for
that to change, she established She
Moves as a women-owned, all-female
rugby agency.
BEYOND VISIBILITY: BUILDING
COMMERCIAL VALUE
For Greyvenstein, one of the biggest
challenges facing women’s rugby is
the assumption that increased visibility
automatically translates into progress.
Women’s rugby is attracting greater
attention, improving in standard and
reaching new audiences. However,
the commercial structures supporting
players have not always developed
at the same pace. “We expect them
to train, recover, travel and perform
like elite athletes, but the structures
supporting them don’t always reflect
those expectations,” she explains.
Through She Moves, Greyvenstein
wants to change how female athletes
are valued. Her approach extends
beyond negotiating contracts and
securing sponsorships. It includes
helping players build their personal
brands, understand their commercial
worth and develop professional
relationships with sponsors.
She also challenges brands to
recognise that athletes are not
simply influencers. Their sporting
commitments come first, and
partnerships must respect the
demands of their careers.
For her, successful sponsorship is
about identifying shared value rather
than asking companies to support
women’s sport purely as an act of
goodwill.
Female athletes bring compelling
stories, authentic connections with
audiences and identities that extend
beyond the field. The commercial
opportunity lies in understanding those
strengths and matching them with the
right brands. “Visibility is wonderful, but
visibility doesn’t necessarily pay your
bills,” she says.
The distinction is central to her work:
celebrating women athletes matters,
but creating sustainable earning
opportunities matters just as much.
TURNING MOMENTUM INTO LASTING
OPPORTUNITY
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup
helped bring unprecedented attention
to the women’s game, opening
conversations with global brands
about possibilities that previously
seemed out of reach. Not every
conversation resulted in a partnership,
but Greyvenstein remains encouraged
by the shift in interest. One notable
achievement was securing a deal with
premium audio brand Bowers & Wilkins,
which also works with David Beckham.
For her, such partnerships demonstrate
that female rugby players can
compete for commercial opportunities
alongside established names in global
sport.
Still, she believes the real test is what
happens after the spotlight fades.
Long-term progress requires consistent
investment, stronger development
pathways, appropriate medical and
performance support, and clearer
routes from grassroots rugby into
sustainable professional careers.
She also wants commercial
development to become part of the
system much earlier, rather than
something athletes are expected to
pursue only after becoming famous.
A LEGACY THAT OPENS DOORS
Away from negotiations and
sponsorship proposals, Greyvenstein
finds perspective on a farm in the rural
Eastern Cape, a place close to her
heart. Her Christian faith, family, love of
animals and connection to the region’s
people and isiXhosa culture remain
important anchors.
She describes herself as an introvert,
determined and still learning. Her
identification with Deborah in the Bible
reflects her strong sense of justice and
instinct to stand up for others, including
animals. That same instinct informs
her ambitions for She Moves. Over the
next five years, she hopes to build an
agency that can operate sustainably
while creating meaningful opportunities
for South African players locally and
internationally.
She also wants to see more women
enter the business side of sport as
agents, negotiators, commercial
leaders and decision-makers.
Ultimately, her measure of success
is not simply the number of athletes
she represents or the size of the
sponsorship deals she secures. It is
whether her work helps change what
female athletes believe is possible.
If the next generation can enter rugby
with better professional support,
stronger commercial prospects and
greater confidence in their value,
Greyvenstein will know the work has
mattered. Her journey is a reminder
that changing an industry does not
always begin with a seat at the table.
Sometimes, it begins with recognising
that the table was never built to
accommodate you and deciding to
build something different.
Through She Moves Rugby, Monya
Greyvenstein is doing exactly that.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
10
LEADING STORIES
10 Fun
Facts
Monya Greyvenstein
about
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
I appeared on the 2026 season of Lamb Champs, and my husband won
Lamb Champs Boland! Clearly, sheep are a big deal in our household. 😂
I’m a rugby agent and a farmer. One day I’m negotiating rugby
contracts, and the next I’m helping deliver lambs on the farm.
I’m a huge animal lover, especially horses. Horse
riding is one of my favourite things to do.
I serve on the board of the Landskaap Breeders Society, a sheep breed with German
origins that has been part of South African agriculture for nearly 70 years.
My husband and I eloped in September 2025. We skipped the big
wedding and did things our own way!
I speak English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa, and sometimes all three
make an appearance in the same conversation.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the NPL team. I negotiate their professional sponsorship
deals with rugby teams and professional athletes, and being part of a company like NPL
has taught me so much about business, partnerships and the sports industry.
I’m naturally curious and can spend hours researching the most random things.
Once something catches my interest, I need to know everything about it!
I love staying active. From strength training and running to
cycling and yoga, I enjoy challenging myself physically.
Our farm is home to quite a collection of animals, including sheep, horses, dogs, chickens,
emus and tortoises. Life is never boring, and there’s always something that needs
rescuing, feeding or chasing!
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
11
FEATURE
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
12
NEWS AND SHORTS
A Bra Built for
Every Woman
SubRosa’s Alpha bra began with breast
cancer survivors and was built to
support every woman who moves.
ADVERTORIAL
n ancient dining halls and
confessionals, carved roses
reminded visitors that what was
said there stayed private. The Latin
phrase sub rosa means “under the
rose.” For Cape Town physiotherapist
Riyaz A. Rawoot, it describes what
lies beneath a bra: a sweet secret, a
quiet confidence and a hidden power.
A challenge worth taking
Riyaz is a physiotherapist and
lymphoedema therapist who
specialises in breast oncology
and medical apparel design.
Lymphoedema, the abnormal
swelling caused by damaged lymph
nodes and vessels, can follow a
mastectomy. He saw that breast
cancer survivors had no high-quality,
locally made specialised bra, so he
took up the challenge.
His first garments looked too medical.
“I decided to reinvent the bra,” he
says. Work started in 2019, and four
years and 30 attempts later he had a
self-support system he named Alpha,
because he says it was the first of its
kind. It suits extreme-impact sport,
nursing, compression, recovery after
breast and heart surgery, uneven and
large breasts, a teenager’s first bra
and everyday wear.
The gap on the shelf
South Africa had no brand for
technical sports and medical wear.
Nothing existed for extreme-impact
exercise, for a mother who plays sport
while pregnant or nursing, for women
after a mastectomy or augmentation,
for growing adolescents, or for
women with a large bust and a
narrow waist. Riyaz set out to design
for the wide variety of South African
bodies.
Why support matters
Breasts are soft tissue made of
fat, fibrous tissue and glands. They
contain no muscle, so they rely
on skin and thin connective tissue
called Cooper’s ligaments. In running
and jumping they move in several
directions, and without proper
support that movement can cause
pain, stretch the ligaments and
slow performance. For adolescents,
postpartum women and women
with larger breasts, it often becomes
a reason to avoid sport altogether.
Research cited by SubRosa suggests
the right sports bra can improve
running performance by up to seven
percent.
Through his master’s studies and
interviews with hundreds of women,
Riyaz found that three things
mattered most: support, comfort and
a great fit. Women wanted them and
could not always put it into words.
How to choose well
•
The underband gives most of
the support. It should sit level, feel
snug with room for two fingers,
and stay put when you raise your
arms.
•
The straps should not dig in or
leave deep marks. Wide straps
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•
The cups should contain all the
tissue, with no spilling over and
no gaping.
•
The fabric should wick moisture,
with flat seams that prevent
chafing.
•
The bra should match the sport.
Compression suits yoga and
walking. Running and HIIT need
cups that support each breast
individually.
Alpha is built on these principles. It
has a firm, wide underband that stays
anchored, wide adjustable straps and
full cup containment, with closures
that let a woman tighten or loosen
sections to suit her body.
Support, comfort and fit. A quiet
confidence, beneath everything you
wear.
Find Alpha at subrosabra.com
Who Moves
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
13
NEWS AND SHORTS
The latest moves
shaping women’s sport
From Olympic dreams and World Cup ambitions to a landmark cricket
summer and a thrilling domestic football race, South African women in sport
are keeping the spotlight firmly on themselves.
NEWS ROUNDUP
01 | BANYANA BANYANA: THE
OLYMPIC DREAM IS ALIVE
Seven goals, two clean sheets and
another step towards Los Angeles
2028.
Banyana Banyana have made a
confident start to their quest for
Olympic qualification, sweeping aside
Madagascar 7–0 on aggregate to
advance to the third round of the
African qualifiers. The South Africans
opened with a commanding 4–0
victory in Bloemfontein on 9 October
before sealing progression with a 3–0
win in the return fixture four days later.
Ronnel Donnelly set the tone with
a hat-trick in the opening match,
while Thembi Kgatlana also played
a key role in the campaign. For head
coach Desiree Ellis, the results offered
more than a place in the next round:
they provided valuable minutes for
emerging players and an opportunity
to sharpen the squad’s attacking
play.
The road to Los Angeles is still a long
one, with only two African teams set
to feature in the women’s Olympic
football tournament. But a return to
the Games would be significant for a
team that missed out on both Tokyo
2020 and Paris 2024.
The bigger picture: Sustained
success on the international stage
can help attract new supporters,
strengthen commercial partnerships
and create more opportunities for
women footballers at home.
02 | BANYANA’S WORLD CUP
JOURNEY: THE NEXT HURDLE
Brazil 2027 is calling, but the
road there demands another big
performance.
Banyana Banyana’s hopes of
appearing at a third FIFA Women’s
World Cup remain alive as South
Africa prepare for the next stage of
the qualification play-offs. Following
their 2–1 victory over Nigeria in
August, the team now face another
crucial test in the preliminary phase
of the intercontinental play-off
tournament.
Rabat, Morocco, will host the
six-nation competition from 28
November to 5 December 2026.
South Africa, Chinese Taipei, Ecuador,
Ghana, Papua New Guinea and
Uzbekistan will compete for two
places in the final play-off phase,
scheduled for February 2027.
For Banyana, qualification would be
another milestone in a journey that
has seen South African women’s
football earn greater international
recognition. Yet reaching the
tournament is only part of the bigger
challenge. Consistent investment
in player development, competitive
preparation and support structures
is essential if the team is to compete
with the world’s best.
The bigger picture: Major
tournaments can elevate a team’s
profile, but lasting progress depends
on turning those moments into
stronger domestic pathways, better
resources and sustained commercial
interest.
03 | PROTEAS WOMEN: A BIG
SUMMER ON HOME SOIL
India and Australia are coming
to South Africa and the stakes
extend beyond the scoreboard.
The Proteas Women are preparing for
a major 2026/27 home international
season, with India and Australia set
to tour South Africa. Both visits will
include a Test match, giving local
fans a rare opportunity to watch the
national side compete in the longest
format of the women’s game.
South Africa’s series against
India begins with three ICC
Women’s Championship One-
Day Internationals from 9 to 15
December, followed by a Test in
Gqeberha from 20 to 23 December.
Australia will arrive in March 2027 for
a multi-format tour featuring T20
Internationals, One-Day Internationals
and a Test match in April.
The fixtures will bring some of
the world’s leading players to
South African grounds, creating
opportunities to grow attendance,
deepen fan engagement and give
women’s cricket greater visibility.
The inclusion of two home Tests is
particularly meaningful for a format
that has historically received fewer
opportunities in the women’s game.
The bigger picture: A packed
international calendar creates a
valuable platform for broadcasters,
sponsors and host venues but
the long-term win will be turning
big-match excitement into a loyal
audience for women’s cricket.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
14
NEWS AND SHORTS
ABIGAIL SMIT:
ABIGAIL SMIT: FROM A
FROM A RUGBY
RUGBY
MATCH
MATCH IN THE UAE TO WEARING THE
IN THE UAE TO WEARING THE
SPRINGBOK JERSEY
SPRINGBOK JERSEY
t 15, Abigail Smit watched
a women’s rugby sevens
match in the United Arab
Emirates and discovered a
sport she never knew could have a
place in her own future. Today, at just
20…she has already represented the
Junior Springbok Women and made
her debut for the Springbok Women.
What began as a moment of curiosity
has grown into a journey defined
by determination, resilience and a
dream that reaches all the way to the
Rugby World Cup.
“I simply watched a game, fell in love
with what I saw and wanted to give it
a try” she recalls.
With her father taking her to a
local club to learn the basics of
passing and catching, Smit’s rugby
journey began without grand
expectations. She had no idea that
one spontaneous decision would
eventually lead to opportunities to
represent her country.
Away from the field, Smit is a
student pursuing Intermediate Phase
education and has spent the year
working as a teaching intern. She is
also the youngest of five children,
a creative spirit who enjoys making
artwork, designing clothes and taking
photographs. For her, rugby is a
significant part of her identity, but it is
far from the whole story.
Her journey has not been without
its challenges. Serious injuries have
tested both her physical strength
and mental resilience, including a
Grade 3 ATFL ligament tear shortly
before the 2024 Under-20 Girls Week
tournament. Determined not to let
the opportunity slip away, she worked
hard to return to the field.
That same year, passing the
BokSmart age-banding test allowed
her to play both under-18 and
under-20 rugby for the Bulls, opening
the door to selection for the Junior
Springbok Women. In 2026, another
setback came in the form of an
AC joint separation, forcing her to
balance recovery with her studies,
teaching responsibilities and rugby
commitments.
Through it all, Smit has learnt that
progress does not always follow
a straight line. Journaling, music
and prayer help her navigate the
pressures of competition, while her
father remains one of her greatest
sources of strength.
Her proudest moment so far is one
that will stay with her forever:
making her debut for the Springbok
Women.
Having her parents in the stands
for her first Test match made the
occasion even more meaningful.
Their support had been part of her
journey from the very beginning and
sharing that milestone with them
brought years of hard work and
sacrifice into perspective.
Smit also credits her time with DHL
Western Province Women’s Rugby
for helping her grow, both as a
player and as a person. Surrounded
by passionate teammates and a
strong rugby culture, she continues
to learn, develop and appreciate
every opportunity to wear the team’s
colours.
Yet, as women’s rugby continues to
grow, she believes more must be
done to support the next generation.
Clearer pathways from school and
junior rugby into the professional
game, alongside better financial
support would allow women to focus
on developing their careers without
having to rely on other jobs to make
ends meet.
Looking ahead, Smit has her sights
firmly set on the international stage.
She dreams of playing in a Rugby
World Cup and becoming one of
the best locks in the world. Inspired
by Pieter-Steph du Toit’s work ethic
and leadership, she understands
that reaching those heights requires
consistency, discipline and a
willingness to keep learning.
For young girls who dream of playing
rugby but doubt whether they belong,
her message is simple: give yourself
a chance.
“You are allowed to take up space,
be strong, be physical and go after
something you really want” she says.
Abigail Smit’s story is a reminder that
the biggest journeys do not always
begin with a lifelong plan. Sometimes,
they begin with a game, a little
curiosity and the courage to try. At 20,
she is still building her story, but with
a Springbok debut behind her and a
Rugby World Cup in her sights, this is
one young player worth watching.
ONE TO WATCH
By Mamello Monyake
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
15
NEWS AND SHORTS
ACCRA
MAJESTICS
SPORTS ACADEMY
Our Projects & Initiatives
Youth Sports Development: Introducing young people
to different sports, developing skills and encouraging
active lifestyles.
Women & Girls in Sport: Creating pathways for greater
participation, confidence, leadership and inclusion in
sport.
Community Outreach & Clean-Up Exercises:
Promoting environmental responsibility and community
participation through initiatives such as our anniversary
clean-up activities.
Sports Education & Awareness: Organising practical
training, theory sessions and introductory activities to
build knowledge and understanding of different sports.
Athlete Welfare & Support: Working to create a
supportive sporting environment that prioritises athlete
development, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.
Kabaddi
Flag Football
Jump rope &
Skipping
Our Sports Programs
+233530424454
Info@accramajestics.org
www.accramajestics.org
Get involved
Join Our Teams: Discover your potential and
grow through our various sporting
disciplines.
Volunteer: Contribute your skills, time and
experience to support our programmes.
Partner With Us: Collaborate with us to
expand sporting opportunities and
community impact.
Sponsor Our Initiatives: Support athlete &
volunteers development and help create
lasting opportunities through sport.
Rugby
Football
About Us
Accra Majestics Sports Academy (AMSA) is a volunteer-
driven, multi-sport development organisation in Ghana,
established in 2021 through rugby league. We are
committed to nurturing talent, building character and
transforming lives through sport, promoting youth
development, teamwork, discipline, leadership and
inclusion.
We provide sporting opportunities and development
pathways through:
Men’s Teams: Developing male athletes and
creating competitive opportunities.
Women’s Teams: Promoting female participation,
development and inclusion in sport.
Youth Development Teams: Identifying and
nurturing young talent for the future.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
16
WOMEN IN BUSINESS SPORT
RACHEL ANKOMAH:
RACHEL ANKOMAH:
BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES
BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES
BEYOND THE FIELD
BEYOND THE FIELD
or Rachel Ankomah, sport has
never been just about the game.
It is about the people behind
it, the opportunities waiting
to be created and the stories that
deserve to be heard. From coaching
and sports administration to media
and grassroots development, the
Ghanaian sports professional is
building a career that reflects the
many possibilities within the sporting
industry.
As the founder of Accra Majestics
Sports Academy and RA Media
GH, as well as the woman behind
Her Field, Her Rules, Ankomah is
passionate about creating spaces
where athletes, particularly women
and girls, can participate, develop
and find their place in sport.
Her journey began long before the
leadership titles. Growing up at
Achimota School, she participated
in hockey, athletics, basketball,
football, cricket and handball before
continuing with hockey and cricket
at the University of Ghana. Although
sport was always part of her life,
she did not initially imagine it would
become the foundation of her career.
That changed as she began to
recognise the bigger picture.
“I realised that there was so much
more to sport than what happened
on the field,” she explains. “There
were athletes who needed support,
disciplines that needed visibility, and
opportunities that needed people
willing to create them.”
Those observations gradually led her
into coaching, team management,
administration, communications
and sports development. Today, she
serves as Head Coach of Ghana’s
National Female Kabaddi Team,
Chairperson of the Greater Accra
Regional Kabaddi Association,
General Manager of the Ghana Jump
Rope & Skipping Federation and
Deputy Organizer for Greater Accra
Skate, among other roles.
Turning Passion into Purpose
Ankomah’s work is driven by a simple
but important belief: talent exists
everywhere, but opportunity does not
always follow.
By Mamello Monyake
Through Accra Majestics Sports
Academy, she set out to help create
an environment where people could
develop their sporting abilities and
grow through participation. What
began as a rugby-focused initiative
has since expanded into a multi-
sport platform.
Her media work follows a similar
purpose. Through RA Media GH, she
seeks to give African sporting stories
the visibility they deserve, particularly
those that are often overlooked.
Building these initiatives, however, has
required more than enthusiasm.
“My journey has involved a lot of
learning, sacrifice, trying things,
making mistakes and starting again,”
she says.
Her experience has taught her
that sustainable sports businesses
require patience, resourcefulness,
strong relationships and a clear
understanding of the needs they
aim to serve. Passion may open
the door, but planning, funding and
accountability help keep it open.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
17
WOMEN IN BUSINESS SPORT
More Than Athletes: The Business
of Sport
One of Ankomah’s strongest
messages is that young women do
not need to be professional athletes
to build successful careers in sport.
Behind every sporting event, team
and competition is an ecosystem
of professionals working across
administration, coaching, marketing,
sponsorship, journalism, photography,
event management, sports medicine,
technology and entrepreneurship.
For women with business, creative
or communication skills, these fields
offer opportunities to turn existing
talents into meaningful careers.
However, she cautions against
assuming that passion automatically
translates into a sustainable business.
Understanding the market, identifying
genuine needs, building professional
networks and finding reliable sources
of revenue or funding are all essential.
Sometimes, she believes, the greatest
opportunity lies in recognising a
gap that others have overlooked
and having the courage to build
something new.
Breaking Barriers and Building
Credibility
Despite her achievements, Ankomah
acknowledges that navigating
leadership spaces as a woman has
not always been easy.
“There have been times when I have
felt that I needed to do more to
establish my credibility,” she shares.
Women in underrepresented
leadership positions may find
themselves repeatedly having to
demonstrate their competence
before their decisions are trusted.
Beyond these perceptions, limited
funding, facilities, equipment and
institutional support can also slow
progress in sports development.
For Ankomah, resilience has meant
learning to speak up, remain
resourceful and recognise when
a situation requires a different
approach.
She believes resilience does not
mean accepting every difficult
environment indefinitely. Sometimes,
progress requires persistence; at
other times, it means redirecting
energy towards opportunities where
meaningful change is possible.
Her work has not gone unnoticed. In
2025, she was recognised among
Africa’s 50 Most Influential African
Women in Sports and named among
40 African women trailblazers.
While these acknowledgements were
significant milestones, she measures
success by more than recognition. For
her, the real reward lies in contributing
to something bigger than herself.
Creating Space for Women to Lead
Ankomah is equally passionate about
the role women can play in opening
doors for one another.
Through Her Field, Her Rules, she
wants to encourage women and
girls to see themselves not only
as participants in sport, but also
as business owners, leaders and
decision-makers.
She believes meaningful support
extends beyond celebrating
achievements. It includes
recommending women for
opportunities, sharing knowledge,
making introductions, offering
mentorship and creating room for
others to contribute.
Although she recognises that
progress is being made, she argues
that visibility alone is not enough.
Women also need access to funding,
sponsorship, professional networks
and the resources required to turn
their ideas into reality.
In Ghana, she sees a need for
stronger grassroots structures, better
development pathways and greater
investment in women’s sport.
A Legacy Beyond the Titles
Looking ahead, Ankomah hopes
to grow Accra Majestics Sports
Academy into a platform that
develops talent across sporting
disciplines, strengthen RA Media GH’s
contribution to sports storytelling and
expand the impact of Her Field, Her
Rules.
Her vision is an industry where
opportunities are not reserved
for a privileged few and where
young people and women can
build meaningful careers without
constantly struggling for basic
support.
Her advice to the next generation is
simple: do not limit your imagination.
Explore the different roles within
sport, gain practical experience,
build relationships and understand
your worth. There is no single path to
success, and young women should
not feel pressured to follow someone
else’s journey.
Ultimately, Ankomah hopes her
legacy will be measured not by
the positions she has held or the
awards she has received, but by what
remains long after her work is done.
“If someone can look back years from
now and say that something I started,
supported or fought for helped them
find their place in sport, then I would
consider that a meaningful legacy.”
For Ankomah, that is the real
business of sport: not simply
building organisations, but creating
opportunities, empowering people
and laying foundations for those who
will come next.
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
18
WOMEN IN BUSINESS SPORT
NTAMBI RAVELE:
port does not grow on talent
alone. Behind every athlete
are decisions about funding,
governance, access and
opportunity. For Muditambi “Ntambi”
Ravele, changing those structures has
been the work of a career. A sports
administrator, businesswoman and
advocate for women’s leadership,
she has spent decades pushing
for women and girls to have a
meaningful place in sport not only as
participants, but as decision-makers.
Ravele’s professional journey began
in education before she moved into
sports administration and marketing.
She later held senior roles across the
sector, including serving as president
of Netball South Africa and working in
sports marketing and management.
In 1996, Ravele initiated the formation
of Women and Sport South Africa,
helping place women’s participation
and leadership on the national
agenda. In 2008, she founded the
South African Women and Sport
Foundation (SAWASF), where she
serves as chairperson. The foundation
advocates for equal opportunities
for women and girls across sport
and recreation, including coaching,
administration, technical officiating
and leadership.
The distinction matters. Increasing
participation is essential, but lasting
change also depends on who
controls resources, sets policy and
makes decisions. Ravele’s advocacy
has focused on making women
visible throughout the sporting
system and challenging barriers that
can prevent them from progressing
into positions of influence.
Her leadership in netball showed
what strong administration can
achieve. During her time at Netball
South Africa, the organisation
pursued sponsorship, expanded the
sport’s profile and strengthened its
standing locally and internationally.
She also served on the board of
the international netball federation,
contributing to the game beyond
South Africa’s borders.
Ravele’s influence reached into other
codes, too. She chaired the Boxing
South Africa board, becoming a
trailblazer in a sport historically
dominated by men. In 2015, she
initiated the Women in Boxing
programme, which aimed to make
women feel welcome and help them
become a stronger presence in
the sport. Her work demonstrated
that inclusion requires more than
an invitation; it needs deliberate
programmes and leadership willing
to back them.
Her contribution has also extended
through board and governance
roles with sports and development
organisations. These responsibilities
reflect the business side of sport:
strategic planning, accountability,
partnerships and decisions that
shape whether organisations can
serve athletes and communities
sustainably.
Ravele’s involvement in the African
Women in Sports Summit in Uganda
in 2025 reflects the importance of
connecting women leaders across
the continent. Shared platforms
allow experiences and ideas to travel
beyond national borders, creating
opportunities for collaboration and a
stronger collective voice.
For Ravele, progress is not simply
about how many women enter sport,
but whether they can thrive and
help shape its future. That means
building pathways, questioning old
assumptions and ensuring women’s
expertise is present wherever
decisions are made.
Her legacy continues through
advocacy, governance and
opportunities for the next generation.
In an industry where visibility,
investment and authority have not
always been shared equally, Ntambi
Ravele’s work sends a clear message:
women belong at every level of sport,
and the future is stronger when they
help lead it with confidence.
By Mamello Monyake
THE WOMAN CHALLENGING
WHO HOLDS POWER IN SPORT
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
19
WOMEN IN BUSINESS SPORT
TERRY-ANNE HART:
BUILDING A FIGHTING CHANCE
FOR WOMEN IN BOXING
oxing is decided in the ring,
but a fighter’s future can
depend on what happens
long before the opening bell.
Finding the right opponent, securing
a promoter, attracting sponsors and
earning exposure are all part of the
business behind the sport. Terry-
Anne Hart is working to change that
landscape for South African boxers,
especially women, through Fighters
Club Boxing Promotions.
A qualified civil engineer and
construction professional, Hart
entered boxing promotion with a
clear view of the gap she wanted
to address. She saw female
fighters struggling to secure regular
opportunities and the calibre of bouts
that could help them develop, build
their reputations and move their
careers forward. Rather than wait for
the industry to change, she decided
to help create another route.
Through Fighters Club, Hart has
set out to stage events that place
women’s boxing at the centre of
the programme, not simply on the
undercard. Her first tournament, Battle
at the Farm, took place in Pretoria in
November 2025 and featured a focus
on female fighters. Her approach is
simple.
Hart’s ambition, however, reaches
beyond putting on a successful
fight night. She has spoken about
equality in opportunity and pay,
and about giving female boxers
consistent chances to compete, be
seen and build sustainable careers.
Visibility is important, but it must
lead somewhere: better match-ups,
stronger purses, new supporters
and a clearer pathway towards
championship opportunities.
In May 2026, Hart promoted an IBO
world junior lightweight title contest
between South Africa’s Bernice “The
Badger” Ferreira and Malawi’s Ellen
“The Tigress” Simwaka at the Wild
Coast Sun in Bizana. The bout was
reported as the first female IBO world
championship fight in South Africa
since 2007. Staging an event of that
significance demonstrated how a
promoter can help bring women’s
boxing into a bigger conversation.
There are commercial realities to
consider. Boxing needs audiences,
broadcasters, sponsors and
promoters willing to invest in athletes
over time. Women’s fights cannot
grow if they are treated as occasional
attractions rather than an essential
part of the sport. By building events
around female competitors, Hart is
making a case for their value while
challenging established expectations
about who deserves the main event.
Her work also highlights the
entrepreneurial side of sport. A
promoter must combine vision with
practical planning, relationships and
resilience. Plans can change, partners
can withdraw and events can face
setbacks, but the ability to adapt is
part of building a lasting business.
Hart is still developing the Fighters
Club platform, but her purpose is
clear: create more opportunities
for boxers to be recognised and
rewarded for their talent. In a sport
where a single bout can change a
career, access to the right stage
matters.
The fight for equality in boxing is
not won by one promoter or one
tournament. It takes sustained
investment and a broader industry
willing to back women consistently.
Hart’s contribution is to keep opening
the door and to make sure female
fighters have a real chance to step
through it.
By Mamello Monyake
WISA | WOMEN IN SPORTS AFRICA
20
WOMEN IN BUSINESS SPORT
MORE THAN A CAPTAIN, A
LEGACY IN THE MAKING
BONGIWE MSOMI:
ome athletes leave behind
records. Others leave behind
a blueprint for the next
generation. Bongiwe “Bongi”
Msomi is doing both. From leading
the SPAR Proteas on the international
stage to developing young talent and
stepping into sports administration,
her journey shows what it means to
turn sporting success into lasting
impact.
Born and raised in Hammarsdale,
KwaZulu-Natal, Msomi did not initially
set out to become one of South
Africa’s most recognisable netball
figures. Her introduction to the game
came when friends needed another
player to complete a team. That
unexpected invitation became the
beginning of an extraordinary career,
built on determination, discipline and
a willingness to learn.
Her rise was not without challenges.
Like many young athletes, she
needed people who could recognise
her potential and encourage her to
pursue it.
One of those people was her
schoolteacher and mentor,
Sthembiso Mncwabe, who helped
nurture her talent and encouraged
her to keep going. The support she
By Mamello Monyake