By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed 2023 as a great year for women’s sport in the country, saying female athletes have reached new heights across a number of sporting codes.
Ramaphosa used his weekly newsletter on Monday to highlight women’s sports following the performances of Banyana Banyana at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Proteas Netball team at the World Cup in Cape Town.
“Our women’s national football team, Banyana Banyana, the reigning Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions, has delivered some stunning performances in the FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand.
“Our women’s netball team, the Proteas, put in a strong showing at the Netball World Cup that ended in Cape Town yesterday.
“In February we hosted the first ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup to take place on African soil. Our national team made history as the first South African team to reach the final.”
He said the government is working towards increasing the representation of women in sports.
“Our nation’s sportswomen have proven themselves, time and again. It is up to us, as a society, to provide the necessary environment that will enable a new generation of women and girls to thrive and excel in sports.
Working together as government, business, and the sporting fraternity we can level the playing field for women’s sports in our country. And by so doing, we will take another step toward a more equal society,” said Ramaphosa.
The President added that competing in sports fosters a sense of empowerment among women, helping them build confidence in their abilities and break gender stereotypes. Through sports, he said, women can challenge societal norms, experiencing personal growth and achievement.
He said that all of these can enable women and girls to be more assertive and confident in society, and can support the fight against discrimination and gender-based violence.
“As government, we want to increase the representation of women in sport and to promote the development of women’s sports both through mass participation and at an elite level.
“There are a number of government programmes to develop mass participation in women’s sports. There are also initiatives supported by the private sector and international development partners,” he said.
When it comes to elite athletes, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s ‘Operation Excellence’ programme provides preparatory support to Olympians and Paralympians.
The President pointed out that funding and sponsorship predominantly flow towards male-dominated team sports such as football, cricket, and rugby. He said these sports have well-established professional leagues, unlike women’s football, cricket, and rugby.
The President highlighted that this situation adds to the significant difference in pay between female athletes and their male counterparts.
“Equal pay for work of equal value is one of most fundamental tenets of gender equality. The sporting fraternity is neither exceptional nor is it exempt.
“That female athletes should still earn less than their male counterparts is an affront to our nation’s sportswomen, more so at a time when the achievements of some of our women’s sports teams surpass those of our men’s teams,” the President said.
He called on sponsors and sporting bodies to direct greater resources to women’s sports.
Ramaphosa said it is only through greater sponsorship and support that women’s sport will be able to grow and attract larger audiences. As they attract a greater following, he said, women’s sports events will provide greater value to sponsors.
The President added that the success of the major women’s sports tournaments that have been hosted in South Africa will no doubt bolster our bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027