She wishes young athletes to have true commercial potential as sports athletes, leaders, or administrators, says Lwandile Simelane, first vice-president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc). “Sports should be a massive contributor to the country’s economy and an employer,” she says. Working towards that goal, she happily deals with the “nice, boring, interesting stuff” that is sports governance. As long as it means creating opportunities and incomes for South Africa’s top athletes, she says. Not only is Simelane the youngest person and first black woman to hold her position, but she also chairs the SASCOC Gender Commission and is vice-president of the SA Hockey Federation. She also works full-time in the family chicken farming business. A daunting workload, if any. How does she manage it? “I stay true to my schedule and am super organised. I also have great energy and passion for everything I do, so it barely feels like I am doing a lot. “I plan well, follow the rules and regulations, am ethical, manage my time well, and apply myself – these are staples for me as a leader,” she says. “When we follow the rules and regulations, we foster an equal and ethical playing field that makes leading easier.” Simelane says sometimes it also takes sheer audacity to throw inhibitions overboard, be brave, and take that calculated risk. “And compassion, of course. In sports, we deliver a public good, and we need to understand that the decisions one makes as a leader affect lives. When you understand that, you can have a people-centric approach to your leadership.” A thorn in her side is that women still lag behind men in sports. Sports is not free from the challenges of humanity, she says. “There is a lot of misunderstanding of women’s sports based on the general presence of misogyny and sexism in the world. Women are vulnerable in society and subjected to inequality and atrocities, such as gender-based violence. Much work must be done to make people in sports unlearn some of these bad habits that are picked up in society, such as assuming women in sports as coaches, athletes, administrators, and leaders are less than their male counterparts, for example.”
“DO NOT MAKE YOURSELF SMALL. GO FOR WHAT YOU WANT BECAUSE THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN IS FAILING, BUT IT IS HARROWING TO REGRET NOT TRYING.”
There is a mammoth task ahead to reconstitute the idea of women in sports and gender dynamics in general. Simelane wants to drive a new, more modern path, focusing on some of the most topical issues such as differences in sex development, the inclusion of transgender athletes, safer environments for women, and a more broadscale approach in looking at gender in sports, she explains. She is determined that these discussions aren’t just that, but that they shape women’s lived experiences in sports. “Saying put more women in leadership positions is one thing, but is our thinking directed at being gender representative? Are we spending money, procuring, or doing activities in a gender-representative way?” She says women’s sport is the next big thing in corporate sponsorships. She hails South African companies such as Momentum, Sasol, and Hollywoodbets, which have already recognised this. There’s a massive market for those willing to see it. It is the most incredible gold mine waiting for sponsors, she says. Being in the public eye has taught her the importance of doing your best in everything you do. “We don’t know who or which young woman is watching and seeing that it’s possible. I obtained leadership positions younger than most and want to use this to inspire others. Young people are our future, and they can start showing their steel early.” Simelane obtained a BA in Politics (2014) and a PGD in Labour Law (2017) from UJ.
“DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE TOO YOUNG AND MUST WAIT UNTIL YOUR TIME COMES. AS SOON AS YOU BECOME QUALIFIED, SKILLED, AND EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO DO A SOLID JOB, IT’S YOUR TIME.”
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 15
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