Tshwane metro celebrates graduates of its excellence programme
Three Banyana Banyana football stars, whose talent were identified and developed under the local women’s football programme supported by the Tshwane metro, were honoured on Friday.
The Tshwane metro honoured three local women’s football stars who were part of the historic Banyana Banyana team that won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco two weeks ago.
Delegates and jubilant Banyana Banyana fans attended the special event on Friday at the Eskia Mphahlele library in the city centre.
MMC for social development and community safety Peggy de Bruin together with SA Football Association (Safa) Tshwane president Solly Mohlabeng handed over medals and gifts to Banyana Banyana players Robin Moodley and Regirl Ngobeni as well as kit manager Eva Mokwape.
“It feels amazing to be honoured by the city and this event shows that my hard work and that of my teammates is paying off,” Moodley told Rekord.
She said she was excited to be selected to be part of the national team.
“Being honoured today means the football is recognised and together with my teammates, we are so proud and happy.”
She encouraged young girls who are interested in playing soccer to start playing.
“There are a lot of developments out there for women soccer and I just want to say get involved, work hard and be consistent.”
De Bruin said Banyana Banyana players were an inspiration to young women who wanted to pursue soccer, adding that the fact that they qualified to play in the World Cup tournament was an achievement on its own.
“Power to the women. It is a challenge to you gentlemen.”
She said it showed that women could also win and achieve anything.
“I want to say to you women that believe in yourself and you will achieve anything you want as long as you are committed, resilient and focused.”
The city revealed that the players who were honoured were the product of the Dlala Ntombazana programme that offers young girls an opportunity to play soccer in the Capital City.
Dlala Ntombazana is descried as a dynamic football development programme for girls and young women in Tshwane.
The city has supported the Dlala Ntombazana for more than 15 years and the Dlala Ntombazana is an affiliate of Safa Tshwane.
The programme started in Mamelodi in 2006 with only eight schools participating and currently there are about 300. It has over the years produced more than 4 000 players.
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