TZANEEN – Mama Beka Ntsanwisi is the epitome of a community builder and a mother of the nation.

A lifelong champion for her community

Born and raised in Nkowankowa, she has always been a voice for the voiceless. To some, she is known as the woman who helped families get proper housing and to others, she is the woman who helped pay tertiary fees for students who did not have the money to do so.

“I love jumping in and filling a gap when I see one. I will die happy because I believe I have managed to accomplish what God has asked me to do on earth,” she said.

Media and ministry

For decades, she was a radio presenter for a Christian show called Sisumuka u Vangama on Mughana Lonene FM.

In July this year, she returned to broadcasting with a new online show, called Katekani na Mama Beka, a motivational talk show featuring pastors and inspirational speakers who aim to uplift and encourage audiences.

Within weeks of airing, the show reached thousands of viewers across Facebook and TikTok.

Taking granny football to the world

Internationally, Ntsanwisi is known as the woman who established the Grannies International Football Tournament (GIFT). She founded the first soccer team when she was involved in a home-based care program in 2007.

After seeing the improvement in the health of the players, Ntsanwisi formed more teams across the country before spreading out into Mozambique, Mauritius, Kenya and other parts of the world.

As a result in 2023 she hosted the inaugural GIFT event at Nkowankowa Stadium, where countries such as France, England and the USA took part.  Last year a book called ‘soccer grannies’ was published in the US and in Japan, where it was also translated to Japanese.

Strength and hope

Life was not always rosy, she was diagnosed with a with colon cancer in the early 2000’s and she later beat the disease. Earlier this year she announced that the cancer returned, but that hasn’t dimmed her spirit; she is living life to the fullest.

For sure, there is more to come from Mama Beka.