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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
MINISTER of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development Sithembiso Nyoni has said sport has proved to be vital in empowering girls and women socially and economically.
Nyoni was speaking at a handover ceremony of the national fabric made blazers to the World Cup-bound senior women’s netball team at the City Sports Centre yesterday.
The tournament runs from July 28 to August 6 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Nedbank-sponsored Gems are scheduled to leave for Cape Town today.
“The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development is mandated to support women and to empower the girl child in all socio-economic sectors of our economy.
“Gone are the days when the girl child was discouraged from actively participating in sport or any other trade that was seen as male-dominated as a career.
“The girl child is capable of achieving their own dreams especially through sport and netball is one of the many sporting activities which empower the girl child socially and economically.
“As a Ministry we felt that before the Gems leave for the Netball World Cup 2023 to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, we should boost the spirit of the Gems and show them that we as a Ministry of Women affairs rally totally behind them and we wish them nothing but success.
“We are really proud of you girls for lifting our flag high and qualifying for the World Cup,” said Nyoni.
Nyoni said through the support of one of the SMEs Taflow Printers, they saw it fit to design the national fabric made blazers for the Gems. The company also made t-shirts for the team. The blazers were designed by Taflow Printers managing director Tafadzwa Chitiyo.
Minister Nyoni acknowledged the company for the support.
“We also want to thank our First Lady who spearheaded the design of a national fabric,” said Nyoni. Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry expressed gratitude over the gesture.
The swimming icon also shared her experience during her days as an athlete when preparing and during competitions.
“We very much appreciate the gesture that has been shown. I think all of our ladies look wonderful.
“I can remember when I was training it was always about trying to take and be in the moment, that game and then think about the next. Don’t think about the end result right at the beginning.
“I don’t know, I am sure some of you will be similar to me… if you think about the end result and what that means, a lot of nerves come.
“So just take everything in your stride. You have worked hard, you have trained hard, you are going to have an incredible opportunity to go out there and play other women from around the world, the best women in the world, so use that, use the environment that you are going to be in to create that excitement for you as our Gems. We are fully behind you,” said Coventry.
Coventry thanked the sponsors, various Ministries, the Sports and Recreation Commission as well as the families of the Gems for supporting them in their journey.
“We want to, as government, acknowledge the sponsors that have come on board to support the Gems, we appreciate that.
“As government we are doing our part…and we will be covering everything else.
“I also just want to thank His Excellency President Mnangagwa for fully supporting me as a Minister, to allow me to do what I have been doing over the past five years, to give me the full support; and also the full support of my colleagues,” said Coventry.
Yesterday’s ceremony was also attended by Permanent Secretary for Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development Moses Mhike, chief director in the Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Ministry Benson Dube, Sports and Recreation Commission director-general Eltah Nengomasha among other officials.
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