I was born at the right month, the month that is dedicated to women!
With August being regarded as a Women’s Month, TOUCHLINE wants to take this advantage to pay homage to all the women who have contributed to the development of sports in our country. Wathint’ Abafazi – Wathint’ Imbokotho, this is the slogan that we will be chanted throughout the month of August in celebration of those brave women who took the street to say “enough is enough”. TOUCHLINE pays homage to the women, young and old, who have selflessly contributed to the growth of our sports, especially in football in this country.
Hats off to those who made their presence felt in football when the sport was known as men dominated. Some of the women that TOUCHLINE pay homages to for their positive role in the development of football both as players/administrators, locally,nationally and internationally (former and current) are the following individuals, Natasha Tsichlas, Ria Ledwaba, Mato Madlala, Nomsa Mahlangu, Desiree Ellies, Khabo Zitha, Portia Modise, Rose Jijane, Grace Tshabalala, Zodwa Khoza (may her soul rest in peace), Jessica Motaung, Mantshadi Kola and Beauty Molise.
Ladies, South African football history will never be written without mentioning your names for the role you played in the development of our football in this country. You have paved a way for many generations of women in football today. You were involved in football when this sport was ruled with guns and knives, but you were never intimidated. Today the standard of football is much improved because of your contribution.
TOUCHLINE loves you for that!
Yours truly, spent his intire life in the newsroom and I witnessed some of you growing, being powerful soccer players, coaches and football administrators. Football will never be the same without Zodwa Khoza who was one of the pillar of South African football especially Orlando Pirates. Khoza and Jessica Motaung changed the face of South African football in the marketing point of view. These two young women who came from football backgrounds, made a name for themselves in South African football with Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs becoming more popular off the field in terms of ‘the brand’.
Despite their education, these women chose football and built their careers out of this beautiful game. The two became role models to young women with many young women becaming interested in football unlike in the past when they viewed football as less important. Today many young women are involved in football because of the influence of ‘Zo’ and Jessica.
To all ordinary South African women, Happy Women’s Month especially those women who contributed to yours truly, TOUCHLINE, like bo Mme ma Mokete and Matawana from Evaton Central. These women directly and indirectly contributed in our local football because they would spend the whole day on Sunday watching us playing football while still playing the now defunct Evaton Ocean Stars FC. August comes once in a year and I would be failing you if I don’t take this opportunity to thank you all.
Happy Women’s Month!
