Africa Day is a celebration of unity, resilience, and identity across the continent. For gsport, it is also a moment to reflect on its journey to elevate the voices of African women in sport, voices that, for too long, have gone unheard or underrepresented.
While the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global sport, it sparked a turning point for gsport. In August 2020, the platform introduced the inaugural African Woman in Sport Award at the annual gsport Awards, marking the beginning of a new era, one focused on closing the visibility gap for women in sport across Africa.
This milestone laid the foundation for a broader vision. By April 2021, gsport formally launched the #gsportAfrica chapter and appointed its first Africa correspondent, committed to uncovering and amplifying stories of African women breaking barriers in every corner of the sporting world.
From elite athletes and esports gamers to media professionals and administrators, the gsport newsroom has built an ecosystem where recognition meets representation.
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Central to this mission is profiling women who are driving change, and celebrating them on the gsport Awards stage to inspire a new generation of girls across the continent.
Award recipients have shared powerful reflections on what visibility means:
Andile Dlamini, South African footballer and 2023 gsport Athlete of the Year Award winner:
“I represent people. I represent the whole of Africa. For that girl who starts from nothing and becomes something, it means a great deal. This year was incredible, my first gsport Award, and it’s truly incredible.”
Diana Chikotesha, 2024 African Woman in Sport Award winner:
“It’s like gsport had a key to my door… From that day, opportunities just followed me. Sometimes I even ask myself, ‘Do I deserve this?’ gsport was the first to recognise me, and I’m forever grateful.”
Tatenda Gondo, Award-winner, judge, and correspondent:
“Standing on the platform amidst athletes, administrators, and journalists, I felt inspired. Every person in that room inspires someone. This Award reminded me: My work matters.”
These are not isolated moments, they are part of a growing movement.
In May 2022, gsport hosted its first-ever #gsportAfrica online gathering, bringing together women in sport from across the continent to share insights, spotlight challenges, and mobilise for change. The gathering signalled a unified call to action, and a belief in the power of women’s voices to reshape the African sports narrative.
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Since then, coverage of African women’s sport has become a non-negotiable part of gsport’s newsroom mandate, building a vibrant, connected community that champions women’s progress every day.
Reflecting on the journey, gsport founder Kass Naidoo says: “We’re telling new stories, while supporting the journeys of those shaping the future of sport in Africa.” “This year alone, we’ve seen so many full-circle moments. And we know there are more to come as we build towards gsport’s 20th Awards in August, and our 20th birthday in 2026.”
“Happy Africa Day! Let’s keep taking daily action to change the game for women’s sport in Africa.”
If you know a woman in sport whose story deserves to be told, tag @gsport4girls, because visibility begins with one story, one spotlight, one breakthrough at a time.
Main Photo Caption: Zambia’s Diana Chikotesha, winner of the 2024 African Woman in Sport Award, said: “gsport was the first to recognise me, and I’m forever grateful.” Photo: gsport
Photo 2 Caption: Tatenda Gondo, Award-winner, judge, and correspondent: “This Award reminded me: My work matters.” Photo: gsport
Photo 3 Caption: Andile Dlamini, South African footballer and gsport Award winner: “I represent the whole of Africa.” Photo: Austin Malema
