In what is undoubtedly one of the most competitive categories at the 2025 gsport Awards, three powerhouse women: Vusiwe Ngcobo, Gloria Brown, and Layla Arrison are going head-to-head for the coveted SABC Sport Woman in TV title.
Each of these trailblazers has carved a distinct path in sports broadcasting, reshaping the narrative of who belongs in front of the camera and behind the mic. From football to rugby and boxing, their work has not only elevated women’s sport but also inspired the next generation of storytellers, analysts, and presenters.
They are the women whose voices, faces, and stories have become fixtures in South African sports media. Between them, they’ve broken barriers in football and rugby commentary, fronted global broadcasts, and anchored live television with grace, grit, and authority.
It’s not a battle of resumes, it’s a celebration of decades of consistent excellence, defiance in the face of bias, and deep, unwavering purpose
“We’re no longer knocking. We’re inside the room.”
SABC Sport Woman in TV Award Finalist, Vusiwe Ngcobo
A previous gsport winner (2023) and host of the 2024 edition, Vusiwe Ngcobo returns as a finalist with a decorated résumé that reflects both consistency and impact.
A lead anchor at SABC Sport, she has become a trusted face in South African football coverage, most recently fronting the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) broadcast from Morocco and leading the PSL coverage for the public broadcaster.
Her 2025 nomination has hit different. “This nomination honestly means the world to me,” she says. “It’s a celebration of resilience, growth, and showing up consistently, even when it’s hard.”
“Having won it before and then coming back to host the Awards was such a full-circle moment, but being recognised again reminds me that the journey is still unfolding.”
Ngcobo has never shied away from the truth about what it takes to survive in the industry. “I’ve faced challenges, moments of doubt, times where I had to fight to take up space. But I’ve also been blessed with incredible opportunities and this nod from gsport is a reflection of all of that.”
“It’s not about chasing the spotlight, it’s about staying true to the work and showing up with integrity.”
It keeps me grounded, grateful, and inspired to keep going, not just for myself, but for the next woman who’s watching and thinking, ‘maybe there’s room for me too.’
Beyond personal growth, she’s keenly aware of her role in shifting culture: “When I started, women in sports broadcasting were still seen as the exception. But now, audiences care about credible storytelling, not what gender it’s coming from.”
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Her advice to the next generation? “Start. Don’t wait to feel ready, you grow into it. Do the research, hone your voice, and be obsessed with the craft, not the fame.
“It’s also important to stay authentic, bring your full self into the space because that’s what sets you apart. Lastly, find your tribe… people who believe in your vision, because this industry can be tough, but it’s also deeply rewarding. If I can do it, so can you.”
“I have paid the price to make people pay attention.”
SABC Sport Woman in TV Award Finalist, Gloria Brown
With a voice that’s been behind the mic for decades, Gloria Brown is one of the pioneering women in South African football commentary. A long-time SABC Sport commentator, she’s covered everything from WAFCON and the CAF Women’s Champions League to weekly matches in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
And yet, this is her first-ever Award nomination.
“I guess people didn’t see the need to credit me for the work I do. But I’ve never done it for praise, I’ve done it for purpose.”
Brown’s contribution to women’s sport broadcasting stretches far beyond her own mic. “I needed to pave the way. The likes of Amanda Dlamini, Mrs Simphiwe Dludlu, and Thulisile Miya, have all had opportunities because of the platform I helped shape.” The path hasn’t been smooth, she admits.
“The challengers have been many. From sabotage, to rejection, to not being allowed on the soccer field, to working shifts being taken away. To journalists discrediting what I was doing, trying to break me at every opportunity because I was needed in the kitchen, and not in a space that men believed was theirs and theirs alone.
“They were unfortunate because the person they challenged was mentally strong and had purpose. I needed to pave the way for those who dared to dream.”
She remembers a moment that showed her work was reaching far beyond South African borders. “When South Africa was bidding for the 2010 World Cup, SABC used my commentary clips in presentations shown to the world. That helped open doors, not just for me, but for women analysts globally, especially in the UK.”
Brown now hopes this recognition will be a stepping stone to her next dream: commentating at CAF tournaments. “CAF has done well to introduce women analysts. Now they need to give me the mic, I’ve been ready for years.”
“If I mess it up, I mess it up for the next woman.”
SABC Sport Woman in TV Award Finalist, Layla Arrison
Layla Arrison has always been a competitor. A former Maties rugby player and member of the Springbok Women’s Sevens Invitational team, she’s taken that same determination into her new chapter: as the first female English rugby commentator on SuperSport.
This milestone, being a gsport finalist, is more than just a nod to her hard work.
“It’s a privilege. gsport has shown us that we all have a place under the sun. People think women are out to take each other down, but this platform has helped us clap for each other instead.”
Still, Arrison says the mindset of being an athlete hasn’t left her. “I still go into work thinking I am an athlete continually fighting for my spot in the comms box. I cannot become complacent or think this space belongs to me because it doesn’t. I think it has helped me remain competitive and keep my edge in fighting and trying to be better every weekend.”
She is deeply aware of the ripple effect of her work. “My family has always supported me, but I also know the responsibility I carry. If I mess up, I might mess it up for the next woman who wants to do this. That drives me to keep pushing and take up more space.”
While the SABC Sport Woman in TV Award is about visibility, these three women show that it’s also about voice, values, and vision. Whether it’s Vusiwe anchoring international football tournaments, Gloria pioneering female commentary for decades, or Layla smashing stereotypes in rugby’s inner sanctum, each finalist represents the power of showing up, over and over again.
This year’s race is more than competitive: It’s iconic!
As South Africa prepares to celebrate 19 years of gsport, this category stands as a shining example of what happens when women take the mic, own the moment, and tell the stories that matter, with passion, purpose, and unshakable presence.
Remember to make your voice heard in the 2025 gsport Awards Voting Hall!
Main Photo Caption: With the announcement of Finalists in the 2025 gsport Awards, A previous gsport winner (2023) and host of the 2024 edition, Vusiwe Ngcobo returns as a finalist with a decorated résumé that reflects both consistency and impact. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: A long-time SABC Sport commentator, Gloria Brown is one of the pioneering women in South African football commentary.
Photo 3 Caption: A former member of the Springbok Women’s Sevens Invitational team, Layla Arrison has become the first female English rugby commentator on SuperSport.
