Latest news with #Women'sMonth
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
EXCLUSIVE: Luus hails rise of women's sport in South Africa ahead of World Cup
Sune Luus believes the growth of young talent shows that women's cricket in South Africa is in a strong place ahead of the ODI World Cup. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix There was a time when women's sport in South Africa existed largely in the shadows — underfunded, underrepresented and often undervalued. But in recent years, that landscape has begun to change in powerful and visible ways. Across various sporting codes, South African women are not only breaking through barriers but also rewriting history. In cricket, the Proteas Women became the first-ever South African cricket team to reach the final of an ICC event when they faced Australia Women in the 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cup final at Newlands. A year later, the side proved their achievement was no fluke, reaching another final in the United Arab Emirates, where they narrowly lost to the New Zealand Women's team. In football, Banyana Banyana have been dominant in African women's football, and similarly, the Springbok Women have been on an upward trajectory. Our Proteas Women were challenged to reflect on the unique profiles each of them brings to the team environment. 🏏🇿🇦 In a fun and insightful twist, they took part in an opportunity to engage with one another to better understand each other's strengths, perspectives, and… — Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) July 29, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading As the country builds toward Women's Month In August, Proteas Women's all-rounder and former captain Sune Luus believes that women's sport in the country is in good hands. "There's been lots of growth. It's been awesome to see South Africa getting behind women's sport, not just women's cricket," Luus told Independent Media in an exclusive interview. "I think there's always going to be work to be done, and we will always want to keep improving and keep growing to catch up to other countries. But it's awesome to see so many companies, as well as people and brands, getting behind women's players. "Cricket South Africa has helped our team and the pipeline to get to this point where we can say we've been to two finals already. "It's something we've always dreamt about and never really thought it could be a reality. So, it's amazing to see just the time and effort that's been put into women's cricket." Luus and the majority of her Proteas Women's teammates are currently in camp, preparing for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from lat September. In the current Women's set-up are Annerie Dercksen, Karabo Meso, Miane Smit and Ayanda Hlubi, to name a few, a set of youngsters that have made a seamless transition to international cricket, a feat that is directly linked to the professionalisation of Women's cricket two years ago. With the abundance of exceptional young talent breaking into the national team, experienced players such as Luus don't have to carry all the weight following the retirements of key players, including Shabnim Ismail, over the last couple of years. "It's a bit different to a couple of years ago, where it was kind of the same team for a very long time. I think it just speaks to the growth of women's cricket in South Africa. There are so many young girls coming through and so many talented young girls coming through," Luus said. "It's awesome to see the likes of Annerie scoring her first hundred in her first couple of years of playing, where some of us kind of waited a few years to do that. So, it just speaks to the domestic structures and everything working so well to actually give these girls the best chance when they get to the setup. "Miane's 50 as well in her first T20. It's ridiculous to know that that's what they can do now, but that's just the platform that we've set. I think it's a good balance for the World Cup. "You can't always rely on your senior players. "Everyone is human, so you need a whole, balanced team with that youth. So, it's awesome to have them and to see them actually growing in this space and becoming good cricketers already."
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
2 women in critical condition after man burns them
Two women, a girlfriend and an alleged perpetrator's sister, endured brutal suffering allegedly in the hands of the man who was supposed to love and protect them, a few days before Women's Month. On July 23, the man from Kwa-Guqa allegedly burned his girlfriend, Nompumelelo Gumede, over heated arguments spotted on the 21-year-old's phone, together with his sister, who tried to stop him from harming her. According to Vinolia Mashiane from Kwanele Mama Foundation, the suspect allegedly poured petrol in the room with the two beautiful ladies and set it alight, leaving them locked in the room to burn, while he continued to sit in another room. 'They burned until the neighbours came, and that was when he also attempted to help in rescuing them,' Mashiane said. The ladies were thereafter rushed to the clinic, where they managed to explain what had happened, revealing the person responsible, as they were still conscious. They were transported to the hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. The suspect was apprehended by the police last week. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: [email protected]
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Celebrating Sharpeville's soccer supermom
SHARPEVILLE.- With August around the corner, Sedibeng Ster Sport takes a look at women who play a huge role in sports in the Vaal. August is Women's Month, celebrating the strength of ordinary women in the community for their outstanding contributions in various fields. Orlando Pirates midfield striker Relebohile Mofokeng's mother, Naome, is one of the women who deserves flowers for the role she plays in her son's football career. When 'Rele' was still young, playing for a local amateur soccer team, Celeb Youth Academy in Sharpeville, Naome used to come to watch him. This was long before it became fashionable for mothers or parents to get involved in their children's football careers. Unlike others, Naome didn't wait for her son to play for these so-called elite development academies to support him. She supported the boy while he was still playing on the dusty soccer grounds. Sedibeng Ster Sport still has memories of her running up and down the touchline when Rele was only 12 years old, playing at George Thabe Stadium or James and Pepsi soccer grounds. She was always there, not only to watch him, but to also support the rest of the team. She is passionate about football. The truth is she didn't only show interest in his son's football career when he played for Orlando Pirates, but long before Rele became a household name in South African football. We take a bow, Mrs Mofokeng, you deserve flowers. She was always there since Rele's father, Sechaba Mofokeng, at the time, was also an active soccer player, playing in the First Division League. Relebohile's parents launched the Relebohile Mofokeng Foundation to help those from disadvantaged backgrounds. They hosted the 1st Annual Relebohile Mofokeng Tournament, which came to an end last weekend in his hometown in Sharpeville. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Naome said that apart from being her son's biggest supporter, she is passionate about football. 'I love football, and grew up in the football community. I support every child who is involved in sports in the community,' she said. Sedibeng Ster Sport will continue to look for other women who have contributed to the development of sports within the Vaal community.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Celebrating Women in Music: SAMRO Partners with Basadi in Music Awards 2025
Samro has reaffirmed its partnership with the Basadi in Music Awards 2025, as a celebration of the role of women in the country's music industry. Image: Supplied As South Africa prepares to mark Women's Month in August, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) has announced its continued partnership with the Basadi in Music Awards 2025, reaffirming its commitment to uplifting and celebrating the role of women in the country's music industry. In a move that blends celebration with empowerment, SAMRO will sponsor the Songwriter of the Year category, an award that recognises lyrical brilliance, originality, and the often-unseen creatives behind the hits that shape the nation's soundtrack. Set to take place at the Joburg Theatre on August 1 and 2, the Basadi in Music Awards have become a flagship platform for honouring the contributions of women in all facets of the music industry from performance and production to songwriting and executive leadership. South Africa celebrates Women's Month every year in August, to pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956, to protest against the pass laws. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Speaking on the importance of the partnership with Basadi in Music Awards, Kgomotso Mosenogi, SAMRO's general manager for marketing and communications, said the initiative aligns with SAMRO's ongoing efforts to transform the music landscape and promote gender equity. "Women have long been the heartbeat of our music industry, often writing the stories of our nation behind the scenes. Supporting the Basadi in Music Awards is not just symbolic—it's a tangible investment in gender equity, recognition, and creative excellence,' said Mosenogi. This year's sponsorship marks the fourth consecutive year that SAMRO has backed the initiative. Beyond financial support, SAMRO has also played a proactive role in capacity building. In 2024, the organisation hosted a series of empowerment workshops targeting women in music. These sessions focused on music creation, copyright, production, and promotion—equipping female creatives with essential tools to thrive in a male-dominated industry. Mosenogi emphasised the importance of addressing systemic challenges women face in the creative sector. 'In 2021, we commissioned a research report titled Women's Rights and Representation in the South African Music Sector. The findings were eye-opening—highlighting the underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles and the need for deliberate action to ensure inclusivity,' she said. The partnership with Basadi in Music, according to Mosenogi, was part of a broader call to action. It's not only about awards, it's about opening doors, shifting narratives, and creating a future where women's contributions to music are equally acknowledged, supported, and celebrated. This year's women's month will be celebrated under the theme "Accelerate Action" to emphasise the need to fast-track progress towards gender equality and calls for increased investment in women's well-being and empowerment. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Celebrating 30 Years of Bush Radio: Women in Jazz Concert at Artscape
Auriol Hays Image: Supplied The Artscape Opera House in Cape Town will transform into a vibrant celebration of music and empowerment as Bush Radio proudly marks 30 years of licensed broadcasting on Saturday, 9 August. Hosting the Women in Jazz Concert on this significant Women's Day, the event promises an enchanting night dedicated to the legacy of community radio in South Africa and the incredible contributions of women in the arts. Known affectionately as 'The Mother of Community Radio in Africa,' Bush Radio has been a beacon of hope and creativity since it was granted its broadcasting license in 1995. Over the last three decades, the station has tirelessly championed media freedom, grassroots advocacy, and cultural expression, profoundly impacting local communities through diverse programming and dedicated training initiatives. Lu Dlamini – soulful sophistication personified. Image: Supplied The Women in Jazz Concert is set to be a highlight of the Artscape Women's Humanity Festival, running throughout August. The festival's 2025 theme, Peace in Action – Working Together, calls for unity and collaborative efforts to foster healing and hope, making this concert not just a musical experience, but a vital part of the ongoing dialogue about empowerment and compassion in our society. Guests can expect an extraordinary lineup featuring some of South Africa's most celebrated female jazz artists: Babalwa Meintjies – where raw talent meets pure artistry. – where raw talent meets pure artistry. Auriol Hays – jazz royalty with vocal mastery. – jazz royalty with vocal mastery. Lu Dlamini – soulful sophistication personified. – soulful sophistication personified. Fancy Galada – a dynamic force of musical excellence. – a dynamic force of musical excellence. The Lady Day Big Band – a powerhouse ensemble ready to blow the roof off. Bush Radio's commitment to amplifying vital voices has never wavered. From its roots in the townships to the national stage, the station continues to inspire and uplift those who have historically been underrepresented. The Women in Jazz Concert underscores this mission, celebrating not only the rich tapestry of musical talent but also the unwavering spirit of community. Fancy Galada – Dynamic force of musical excellence Image: Supplied As participants gather to honour the power of women and jazz, they will also engage with the broader themes of this year's Women's Month activities. The festival invites everyone—women and men alike—to join in the celebration of art, culture, and the collective call for action to address social issues with empathy and courage. Tickets for this remarkable evening are available now through Webtickets, offering music lovers a chance to partake in a momentous occasion that echoes across generations.
