17 August 2017 – We continue celebrating and recognizing the women that play a huge role in South African football.
Ms ANASTASIA TSICHLAS – TECHNICAL COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON AND SAFA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEMBER
I fell in love with football from birth. My father was the epitome of football. I married into football, owned a football club and govern football.
I chair the SAFA Technical Committee which is responsible for governing, developing, implementing and co-ordinating all coaching, refereeing and medical matters in local football, along with all nine national teams of South Africa.
Some of my fondest memories in football have been when Women were finally recognized in football and included in Standing Committees and although there is still a lot to be done, there is progress. Another highlight was when the Senior Women’s National team (Banyana Banyana) played their first ever CAF African Women’s Cup of Nation final against Nigeria in1995 and in May 2004, when South Africa won the bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
I believe being a woman gives me an advantage in my job because we are more organized; this is a characteristic of women. We are also very persistent, meaning; we can push to get what we want. Football comes with its own challenges; and as a woman you have to do double the work, equip yourself with more knowledge to get the respect and acceptance.
What I enjoy/love the most about working in football is uniting people. Football teaches you that although we are all different and unique; we need each other to reach any and every objective (like winning a match).
Ms RIA IVY LEDWABA – SAFA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
I became part of SAFA in 1989 as a founder of the Chappies Little League of U10 Boys team.
I fell in love with football at the age of 15. My brothers played football and I was that little girl who would follow them everywhere they went.
I am responsible for SAFA’s development strategies and ensuring that all policies of football are in line with the rest of the world.
One of my fondest memories in football has been my team Ria Stars beating Kaizer Chiefs in the Rothmans Cup final of 2000.
I believe being a woman gives me an advantage in my job because you always have to do twice the work and twice as much as men do, therefore indirectly making you twice as smarter and knowledgeable.
What I enjoy/love the most about working in football is seeing the lives of young children change because of football.
Ms NOMSA MAHLANGU – SAFA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEMBER
I have been part of SAFA since 1994 as a volunteer through USSA (formerly known as SASSU) and have served in different Standing Committees before I was elected member of the National Executive Committee in 2009.
I fell in love with football from my childhood. My grandfather was a keen supporter of football. I also played at development level but never good enough *LAUGHS*.
I am responsible for SAFA’s Women’s Football in the country. I represent South Africa as a General Co-ordinator for COSAFA events and a Match Commissioner for CAF. I am also the Director of Sports at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
One of my fondest memories in football has been when Simphiwe Tshabalala scored the opening goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This was a great day for South Africa and Africa as a whole because “Phillip was on our shores”!
I believe being a woman gives me an advantage in my job because I have the opportunity to become the best at what I do. The type of work we do require you to work extremely hard and be knowledgeable about the game.
What I enjoy/love the most about working in football are the challenges and opportunities to change lives through the game. Football exposes one to a different perspective about life.