Ellis dedicates Order of Ikhamanga to women’s football

Ellis is the first female football personality to earn the award, joining Lucas Radebe, Neil Tovey, Jomo Sono, Kaizer Motaung, and Irvin Khoza on the list. The National Orders are the most prestigious accolades bestowed by the government on its citizens and notable foreign nationals who have made substantial contributions to improving the lives of South Africans. Ellis, who guided Banyana Banyana to their first Women's Africa Cup of Nations title last year in Morocco, describes this as an emotional outcome. 

"I'm still emotional about it, because I've received so many messages, and I understand the President doesn't just give out orders like that. I work in a team sport, first of all to the players of Banyana, because it's through their efforts. The staff that work behind the scenes, the staff in the leagues, the coaches, the work that they put in. Coaches that have come before, players that have come before. A big thank you to them. This award is not just for me it's for everyone involved in women's football", she claimed. 

Ellis, who hails from Hanover Park in Cape Town's Cape Flats, will be honoured alongside World Cup-winning Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, from Zwide in Gqeberha. She recognizes this is an uplifting story for children from impoverished backgrounds and historically disadvantaged areas. 

"You look at Siya Kolisi, and what he's done, where he's coming from and I think it's inspirational, not just for where he comes from but for the whole country. To be able to see this young man, who talks about, in his youth, when sometimes they didn't have food, look where he is now.  

“It's an inspiration for young kids out here, it doesn't matter where you come from, you just need the right support. You just need to raise your hand and say 'Where do I want to be'.  Once I got held up in Hannover Park, but it didn't make me move out, I just try to inspire where I am. And I think everybody has a story to tell and everybody's story inspires someone else." 

The Order of Ikhamanga recognises South Africans who have excelled in the arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sport. Ellis will attend Friday’s ceremony by President Cyril Ramaphosa with the very special woman in her life.

“I’m taking my mother. It’s the first time ever that my mother attends an event with me, She’s always sending my brother or my sister.”