Both Banyana Banyana and the Proteas were part of South African sport history recently, and the two squads celebrated as many South Africans would—over a breakfast of champions.
Tshwane, South Africa (17 August, 2023)—Banyana Banyana and the Proteas were a big part of South African sport history recently thanks to their roles in two World Cups spanning fields and courts.
Together, they made South Africa enormously proud for different reasons. Banyana Banyana became the first South African national football team ever to make it to the knockouts stage of the FIFA World Cup, while the Proteas represented SA for the first Netball World Cup held on home soil.
They were recently celebrated over a South African breakfast of champions together; displaying something so close to South Africa’s collective hearts—unity through sport.
There, the spotlight was on their historic moments having happened during Women’s Month, but they were far from alone in women who made the country proud for a month that’s as much about celebration as it is about progress narratives.
As the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Kodwa highlighted:
“At the recent Summer World University Games in Chengdu, China, Team South Africa won 20 medals. South Africa’s women athletes won 15 of these medals. A special mention should be made to athlete Marlie Viljoen, who won a gold medal for the 400 metres athletics race, and swimmer Erin Gallagher, who won four silver medals at these games.
“At the recent Commonwealth Youth Games, Alicia Khunou won gold medals for the shotput and discus. Women athletes made the 2023 Women’s Month a memorable one!!”
Despite neither team winning their World Cups, Banyana Banyana and the Proteas may as well have if these South African reactions to their respective victories are anything to go by. Because maybe its not always about winning, but rather how much you can inspire along the way.
As Bongiwe Msomi, Netball Spar Proteas captain shared:
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“We are not just Spar Proteas, we are a team that continues to inspire young women,” and this sentiment rings true for both teams.
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