Ithuba's R2 million empowerment contribution to Banyana Banyana

Ithuba’s contribution brings the total amount pledged so far to R8 million, after the Motsepe Foundation announced yesterday that they have contributed R6 million to the team, to help end a crisis that was facing the team before they departed for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. 

Ithuba representative Michelle Trotsenburg says the decision was taken just yesterday to come in and assist.

"Yes, part of the settlement discussions that they alluded to earlier this morning, so, we will not be dictating how the money will be used but it is to support the team going forward to be able to ensure that they are able to have all the facilities in requirement that they need at the World Cup," Trotsenburg said.

"With Ithuba being a woman lead company we are very much around women empowerment. When we had the call for the opportunity to be part of this initiative, we definitely jumped on to that and that was a call-in discussion last minute this morning."

Owned by Charmaine Mabuza, Africa’s first black female CEO to own and run a lottery operator, Mabuza has been running Ithuba Holdings since 2015. At a time when female executives in the Coordinate Sector are being urged to support women in sports teams, events, and athletes. Trotsenburg says the multiple award-winning Mabuza has heeded the call.

"We are gonna be pledging R2 Millions towards Banyana Banyana. We are very much behind in supporting women in sports, supporting equal pay for women in sports. Mrs Mabuza has significantly contributed to women's empowerment in South Africa through her impactful Corporate Social Investment (CSI) projects," she added.

"Creating opportunities for women to thrive in various sectors. Providing education, skills training and entrepreneurial support. Her unwavering commitment has transformed countless lives, empowering women, breaking barriers, achieving economic independence and becoming catalysts for positive change in their communities."

Trotsenburg says they have plans to expand their partnership with SAFA and assist in other development programmes that the football association is running.

"We are the operators for the National Lottery, Ithuba and we obviously do their sales and operations for the National Lotteries Commission. As you know the National Lottery Commission does all the contributions towards good courses and we are very much in partnership with the SAFA," she explained.

"With all sporting in SASCOC, it is one of the key areas that all of the funding for good causes go. So, we focus on Arts & Culture & Sports through our regulatory that National Lottery commissions."