“We are a Sure Investment” – #IWD2025 SA Sportswomen Empower One Another
Strength and resilience are two words synonymous with describing sportswomen but it takes more than those two words to build a successful woman in sport, which is why an occasion like International Women’s Day plays a vital role in the fight for gender parity.
This year, #AccelerateAction was the IWD’s annual theme for 2025, and it was one that was met with much vigour and verve by South Africa’s sportswomen, who are determined to do their part to help the women of their sport achieve their dreams.
Once such person is Esihle Zondo, a water polo player who has become a star in the pool. Zondo feels she has a major role to play, when it comes to representation in the sport, as one of a handful of women of colour in water polo, and she says she wants to be the representation she never had as a youngster.
“My contribution to building up women’s sport is possibly just my presence in the sporting world. My hope is to represent in the way I would have liked to see when I was younger, someone who is trying to be competitive not just present. I hope that that can lead to the start of this initiative within women’s sports in general in South Africa.”
South African Women’s Water Polo Player, Esihle Zondo
“We are not only there but we are also competitive and we are willing to take up space we are a sure investment and something that can build into a system of greatness later down the line. I want to be someone I would have liked to see when I was younger. That is my contribution hopefully, I think that another one of my goals is to continue to strive to be that and kind of heal my inner child in that way.”
Nicole Coopoosamy has had a meteoric rise in powerlifting, from now knowing what the sport was about to becoming one of the most recognisable female faces in it. Now that she has cemented her place in the sport Coopoosamy is now hoping she can pay it forward to other female athletes in powerlifting.
“My goal is to become one of the best in the country, one of the best in Africa and eventually one of the best in the world. Sport in general can empower women and uplift women and that is what we try and do for women in powerlifting. We try and create an empowering environment for women as well as create visibility for women in sport.”
SA Powerlifter, Nicole Coopoosamy
gsport has extensively covered esports as it continues on its upward trajectory. A big part of that success is the South African Women of esport who have been crowned African champions and showed their mettle at the International Esports Federation (IESF) World Championship in 2024. Bella Khan is one of the players who in recent months is staking a claim for her place in the top echelons of the sport. Khan says she is determined to ensure the women of the sport get the recognition they deserve with the help of her teammates.
“Our mission is simple but powerful, to elevate women in esports. We are here to break barriers, build opportunities and to create a thriving community where female gamers can compete, grow, and be recognised.”
South African Women Esport Athlete, Bella Khan
“Esports should be inclusive for all and we are working to make sure women have the representation, the resources, and the recognition they deserve,” says Khan. “Together we are not just players, we are pioneers shaping the future of gaming, let’s make history!”
Para-athlete Tezna Abrahams has been using her voice to highlight the plight of sportswomen. The 2024 Paralympian is intent on ensuring that women in sport and sportswomen with disabilities are afforded fair treatment as well as being able to get much needed funding.
“I try to help with the movement of trying to improve the quality for women in sports is I try to take any opportunity that I do get to speak to shed some light on women in sports and the challenges that we go through.”
South African Para Athlete, Tezna Abrahams
“I recently had a conference where I was able to shed some light on women in sports, and just how people in disability sports manage,” said Abrahams.
“I am actually speaking at a conference about women in sport breaking barrier and how we can get cooperation to back more women athletes in order for us to start mapping the way forward in sport, and hopefully inspiring younger females who also hope make sport a career.”
“That is my way of starting the conversation and shedding some light on the industry what women are actually facing in sport and how we can eventually get to the level where we can be considered as equal to our male counterparts in our sport. That’s my little way of giving back and trying to move the needle.”`
Crédito: Link de origem