Minister launches Netball Fridays ahead of 2023 World Cup on home soil

This is part of a campaign to raise support for the Proteas ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup, which will be held in Cape Town later this year.

Kodwa has urged South Africans to wear SA colours every Friday, just as they did for Bafana Bafana before and during the 2010 FIFA World Cup on home soil.

To amplify his message, the newly-appointed minister summoned former Bafana captains Lucas Radebe and Siphiwe Tshabalala – who scored the opening goal in 2010, as well as Banyana Banyana stalwart Portia Modise to the launch. 

“Not all host countries score the first goal. That’s why he’ ['Shabba'] is here, to inspire our ladies that the first goal in Cape Town must come from South Africa,” Kodwa said. 

Molokwane expressed her appreciation for the department's dedication to the federation, which spearheaded the appeal for all South Africans to forego their customary business attire in favour of a netball supporter's top.

“I’m overwhelmed. I’m grateful. Now when you see [this event], you know that people are aware that the Netball World Cup is here and they should support Netball,” Molokwane added.

"When it comes to sports, we are one united nation. So, this is the time to show it again, that we are a united nation."

School children from the Tembisa district flocked to Mahlareng Stadium in their uniforms, and Molokwane believes seeing the likes of Bongiwe Msomi, captain of the national netball team, will motivate them to participate in the sport in the future. 

“I think these girls will have hope, and they’ll realise that ‘I can play netball. I can make a living out of netball because there are the players that I see on TV, and now I see them live. It means netball is one of the sporting codes I can play at school.' 

“And I want to challenge the schools, play netball. Give these kids opportunities so they can come up and be like Bongi one day as national players.”

Echoing the call for participation in school sports, Kodwa claimed his portfolio is working hard to revitalise school sports.

“It’s going to be like this. South Africa is going to be on fire. This is part of school sports. School sports must not be an extra-mural activity, it’s part of the curriculum," he stated.

"We are building a future national team from these kids. I mean, to see Lucas [Radebe] here, how kids celebrated him, they want to be like him.” 

South Africa will line up against Jamaica, Wales and Sri Lanka in Pool C from 28 July at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.