SuperSport relaunches Here for Her

In What World are women in sports acknowledged as the champions they are?

In What World are women seen, celebrated, empowered and applauded?

Your World of Champions.

SuperSport, Your World of Champions, is proud to announce the relaunch of our Here for Her initiative, reaffirming our long-standing commitment to women’s sport and women in sport.

Here for Her, first launched in 2023 during a landmark year in women’s sport, returns with a bolder focus on passion, power and performance, delivering exciting, personality-driven content. It’s our celebration of everything women’s sport and women in sport.

In 2023, SuperSport introduced exciting firsts such as a channel focused on the women’s race during the Comrades Marathon, which showcased South Africa’s golden runner Gerda Steyn breaking records in 2023 and 2024.

SuperSport’s commitment to gender equity extended beyond the pitch, field or track. As an advocate for women in broadcasting, SuperSport has made significant strides in empowering women behind the scenes.

In 2023, SuperSport made history by becoming the first broadcaster in the world to produce the Netball World Cup with an all-female production crew of 120 members. This achievement broke global barriers, furthering SuperSport’s mission to elevate women in all aspects of sports.

LEADERSHIP AND PROGRESS

SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha said, “SuperSport has gone to great lengths to ensure that women’s sport is given an adequate platform on our broadcast channels. We broke international boundaries in 2023 by having an all-female crew during the Netball World Cup 2023 held in SA, something no other broadcaster had come close to accomplishing.

However, we know we still have a long way to go.

Through the relaunch of our Here for Her campaign, we have integrated women’s sport in our daily operations, not only during major competitions. We’ve ensured that our female staff are at the forefront of the movement and we’re empowering them to take up leadership roles in the company and continue to drive progress for women in sport.”

Here for Her didn’t end there and was evident across various sporting disciplines throughout the year. Many of the 120 all-female crew members that formed part of the Netball World Cup were integrated into the rest of SuperSport’s broadcasts, with growth opportunities in leadership for some.

For the 2023 Currie Cup, SuperSport upskilled eight female camera operators, ensuring that each game featured women behind the lens. These female operators were mentored by senior staff, enhancing their skills across 41 productions.

PARIS OLYMPICS

Accomplished operators like SuperSport’s award-winning golf camera operator, Mathapelo Mathelemusa, who has worked on international events such as the Paris Olympics and numerous local tournaments, continue to make waves in the industry, receiving recognition for their outstanding work.

In May 2024, Nono Cele, who began her career at SuperSport as an intern, became the first female director of a major football cup final when Orlando Pirates played Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final in Mbombela. Cele went on to direct the 2024 MTN8 final between Pirates and Stellenbosch FC held at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Cele honed and developed her production skills during the DStv Diski Challenge, which in its 10 years since formation has helped unearth many on-air and production crew talents, such as Lindiwe Dube and Lerato Phango, who have become household names in football broadcasting.

ALL-FEMALE CREWS

SuperSport continued making a bold statement by featuring an all-female crew for the 2023 Motsepe Championship Challenge, preparing them for their debuts during the 2023/24 Premier Soccer League season. Additionally, SuperSport’s all-female crew members produced three major international events, including the South Africa v New Zealand Women’s T20 international and ODI series, and the South Africa v Bangladesh Women’s series.

To further champion Here for Her, several high-profile women in sports are joining forces with SuperSport to amplify the campaign. Former Proteas Netball captain Bongiwe Msomi has joined the World of Champions as a SuperSport ambassador. Msomi is part of the peerless SuperSport Industry Leaders Programme, a partnership between the MultiChoice School of Leadership and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

Renowned camera operator Noni Mahlangu is also among those leading the charge for women in sport.

Mahlangu’s impressive portfolio includes working on the ICC T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup in the USA and West Indies, and being profiled by the International Cricket Council for International Women’s Day. Former rugby player Layla Arrison also became SuperSport’s first English female rugby commentator, which broke barriers in sports broadcasting, during the World Rugby SVNS series in Singapore.

SuperSport is also heavily invested in the growth and development of women within the company. The Here for Her Women’s Empowerment Programme, launched on 26 September 2024, aims to upskill female employees and provide them with the tools needed to advance into leadership roles. Through a partnership with The Networking Company, 20 selected candidates are undergoing specialised training to help them take the next step in their careers.

SuperSport’s Here for Her is a movement, a celebration and a commitment to uplifting women in sports, both on the field and behind the scenes. Look out for lots more female-powered action from this bold initiative.

Major women’s sporting events on SuperSport during October: