About Us
The South African Women and Sport Foundation is an organisation dedicated to ensuring that the contributions to sport by South African women are realised, recognised and rewarded.
Gender equality issues are not only about women. To tackle the problems and challenges women face every day, the whole of society must get involved. However, before becoming involved in these issues, there is a need to inform and teach people about them. Sawasf has identified a gap in the school curriculum and, given the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, cannot understand why this aspect has been left out of school education.
Our mission
To develop a culture where all girls and women have equal opportunities, equal access and equal support for:
- Developing the sport and recreation sector
- Decision-making at all levels in the fraternity
- Complete participation to achieve their full potential
- Enjoyment of all the benefits that sport and recreation has to offer
Meet Our Trustees
Muditambi Ravele
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Ms Muditambi (commonly called Ntambi) Ravele, is a ground-breaking woman in the field of Women and Sport in South Africa (WASSA) where she initiated the formation of Women and Sports South Africa in 1996. In 2008 she founded and is the Chairperson of the South African Women and Sport Foundation (SAWASF) and is a founder member of the Africa Women Sport Network (AWSN). She presently serves on the following Boards: Laureus Sport for Good South Africa, Gauteng Tourism Authority and Tennis South Africa. She is the former Chairperson of Wheelchair Tennis South Africa and Netball South Africa. She is also the former Chairperson of the Boxing South Africa Board (BSA), the first and only women to be appointed into such a position in a historically male dominated sport. In addition to serving on the Boxing South Africa Board, Ntambi also served in boards both national and international including the Sport Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA), Women Sports International (WSI) and International Netball Federation (INF). From humble beginnings as a Physical Education teacher, Muditambi has worked professionally as a Sport Marketing Lecturer, Assistant Director in the Department of Sport and Recreation (now Sport and Recreation South Africa), and the General Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communications of the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Muditambi is a Businesswoman and owner of The Journey Marketing.
Fran Hilton-Smith
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Fran Hilton-Smith was at the forefront when Banyana Banyana was established. Ms Hilton-Smith started the first High Performance Centre for Women footballers in SA 14 years ago which was the first in Africa. She has worked as FIFA and CAF instructor and trained 87 football administrators and 21 women coaches in the process. The former Banyana Banyana coach has done and seen it all women’s football. She is fondly known as ‘Franzo’ in football circles. Ms Hilton-Smith’s long career has seen her lead in many roles: Member of the CAF Technical and Development Committee Former SAFA Assistant Technical Director and Head of Women’s Football (2019) FIFA and CAF Instructor Former National Coach and Manager
Blanche Moela
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Ms Moela matriculated at Good Hope College in the Cape. She pursued a career in Nursing at Groote Schuur Hospital, earning diplomas in General Nursing, Midwifery, and Psychiatric Nursing. Ms Moela then started competitive running in 1981 which now spans a 40-year running career. She won several National titles and records in Distance running in the 80's and 90's. A defining moment was being awarded National/Springbok Colours in 1984. Ms Moela represented SA both as an Athlete and as an Administrator; co-managing teams to world cross country and Road running Championships. She was also part of the SA Delegation to IAAF Conference in Daegu Korea, and the CAA Conference in Cameroon. Other awards received include the Presidential Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the MASEA Special Recognition Award 2013/2014 from the then MED for Health Dr SM Dlomo. for promoting healthy lifestyle in communities in Durban. To date Ms Moela has completed 17 Comrades marathons and is still active in Grandmaster’s competitions.
Linda Rulashe
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Linda Rulashe has worked as a Communications, Public Relations, and Reputation Management practitioner for the last 10 years. Her work experience in the media, academic, and government sectors has included almost 20 years as a practising journalist across a wide range of publications, including the Weekly Mail (now Mail & Guardian), Sunday Times, City Press, Sunday Sun and Tribute Magazine. As one of the country’s foremost sports writers, she has covered an array of sporting codes, also shining the spotlight on the country’s readmission into the international sporting arena in post-apartheid South Africa.