The Breadwinner’s Goal: Fun, glory, gees and ubuntu

The third idea is one which has, since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, become a compelling motif during times of success for the teams and athletes who are afforded the privilege of representing their countries. It is one that evinced a sense of hope for former President Nelson Mandela when he tried to use sport to unite a nation fresh from the divisions that had defined our society for decades, perhaps even centuries.

When Banyana Banyana striker Hildah Magaia found herself on the end of a perfectly timed reverse pass from forward partner Thembi Kgatlana, her nickname, ‘breadwinner’, echoed across the country like a chant that was conjured up to keep a loss away from the women who were carrying the hopes of a nation during the team’s last group game at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

When Madiba first wielded the power of sport, Magaia was but a toddler. Born in December of the year of South Africa’s democracy, the world she was born into is different to the one she dazzles with her talent. Since the 90s, women’s sport has steadily fought for its place in the global arena, capturing hearts and extending the table for the next generations to have a seat.

Back home, while Banyana Banyana were threading passes and methodically working their way to the knockout stages, our national netball team, the Proteas, were lighting up the country’s most popular tourist destination with a wonderful display of skill and athleticism. Despite the 6th place finish, few will forget how they fought in the third quarter against a Jamaican side who looked poised to make it all the way to the final. The support and admiration they received, from people of all genders and races, highlighted quite clearly the undeniable power of sport to connect people purely on the basis of the place they call home.

In those moments, all three of those ideas make sense. When Italy equalised in the 74th minute of that nerve-wracking game against Banyana, the nation became aware of how quickly glory can be taken away, and Kgatlana’s winning goal, followed by the sound of the final whistle, gave us all pride in living here, being who we are collectively.

Earlier this year, when Kirsten Neuschäfer became the first woman to win the Golden Globe race (a solo yacht race around the world) the president of SA Sailing spoke of her achievement, a 50 000 km journey which involved more than 200 days alone at sea, with the same spirit that was alive at the CTICC, in Australasia, and at Newlands for the Women’s Cricket World Cup.

“We are so proud of Kirsten. She has made not only the country’s sailing community but the whole of South Africa proud and provided an exceptional example to both women and men of what’s possible with incredibly hard work and determination.” Kirsten circumnavigated the globe without the use of modern technology. She was the only female contestant. A South African.The glory was hers, the pride ours. That’s the first idea. When Banyana danced in celebration, we remembered why we say people ‘play’ sports. That’s the second idea.

The third idea comes back to what Madiba was working towards when he was building on the late Archbishop Tutu’s idea of a rainbow nation. But this time the script is playing out differently. The athletes themselves are using their status, influence and talent to drive transformation on global stages. They know how they can bring people together, even if it’s for sixty, ninety minutes or even the last day of a 234 day-long journey across the planet that everyone calls home.

Enjoy the Women's Month 2023 edition of Public Sector Leaders: