Leaders in sport gathered for the first ever gsport Charlotte Maxeke Hall of Fame Luncheon at Shepstone Gardens in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 7 September 2022, to honour and celebrate the 16 extraordinary Hall of Famers who paved the way for women in sport.
At the auspicious occasion, which was hosted by Sports Presenter Vusiwe Ngcobo, also celebrated previous Momentum gsport Awards winners and current #gsport17 finalists.
In attendance from the Hall of Fame inductees included the first ever to be honoured with the accolade, swimming icon and Olympic gold medallist Penny Heyns, Netball phenomenon Hazel Gumede, long-distance running legend and Olympic silver medallist, Elana Meyer, Banyana Banyana’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winning coach Desiree Ellis, Athletics custodian Motlatsi Keikabile, rugby pioneer Dorothy Tsotsobe, Softball Umpire and custodian Thelma Achilles, Netball pioneer Dudu Msane and veteran sports journalist, Jane Bramley.
The inductees took a walk down memory lane to share how it felt to be honoured and to continue being celebrated.
Heyns is delighted to still be part of the gsport family and is proud of the work put in over the years to become the game changing organisation that it is today.
“Well it’s great to be back here again with gsport and celebrating the Hall of Famers. It was about 16 years ago when I was inducted as the inaugural inductee of the gsport Hall of Fame and I think it is a great initiative that Kass and Ryk initiated back then and have been very successful in maintaining over the years, growing this to celebrate women in sport and to obviously acknowledge the achievements and the efforts put in by women in various areas, not just the athletes themselves.
“I think It’s very important that there’s also emphasis put on the contribution made by all of the various sectors in sports and to honour those ladies and to also encourage the up-and-coming generations to see more females in sports.”
Gumede, who was inducted in 2007, expressed her gratitude for the recognition which inspired her to continue playing her part in the upliftment of women’s sport.
“I was inducted in 2007, it came as a surprise because it had been a while that I was left in the dark. When Kass called me, I went to a function not knowing what was happening. When I arrived, I was so overwhelmed but that was the start of great things because I never looked back after that. I started supporting women in sport since then until now. That is why I am still with the gsport family.”
2008 inductee, Meyer, is delighted that there is a place where women can be celebrated to support and uplift each other. A club for women to call their own with pride and passion.
“Being inducted in the gsport Hall of Fame really meant so much to me. I think it really is a special initiative. Boys Clubs have been around forever, so I really want to salute the work of Kass, bringing women together, honouring women and continuing to do that. I am privileged to be part of an exceptional platform. I strongly believe that we as women need to support each other and ultimately be able to complete the full circle of having the opportunity to perform and then embark on a journey to give back.”
Accomplished football coach, was inducted in 2009, and says that she is honoured to be part of a platform that places women in high regard and continues to support, recognise and celebrate the work put in through gsport’s endless profiles of women in sport.
“You know, many times when people are inducted into the Hall of Fame, they are no longer. So for me to have been alive to get that along with Penny Heyns and many others is just amazing. I think gsport has really profiled us as women and the time when I was inducted, I was in awe of everything because I was still very active.
“Normally, the Hall of Fame is for people who have retired long ago, stopped playing or who are no more. So, for me, it was just amazing to get the recognition for not just myself but the women who got the recognition because sometimes all we ask for is to be recognised. A big thank you to gsport for the part that they have played endlessly and continuously profiling women in sport. It just goes to show that when you raise your hands, you have a wonderful opportunity to be recognised. All we ask as women is to get the same recognition, the same support and gsport has done amazingly in profiling women in sport.”
2011 inductee, Dorothy Tsotsobe, is overwhelmed with joy to not only have been inducted into the gsport Hall of Fame, but she continues to be part of the gsport family. Tsotsobe’s induction fuelled her passion to support and uplift women in sport.
“When I was inducted, I was so excited. I felt so honoured to have that opportunity to be inducted in the gsport Hall of Fame. It’s a great achievement to be quite honest. It’s something that one does not expect because when you do things, you are not aware that people are recognising that. Acknowledgement by gsport is a great thing and I think that we should keep on supporting women so that we do great all the time. For other people, those who cannot do and we assist them. We uplift each other as women. Women are very important in sport.”
Also sharing her gratitude, 2018 inductee Achillies was overwhelmed as she looked back to when she was inducted into the gsport Hall of Fame. Achillies is a strong believer in the upliftment of women in sport and continues to be in awe of the work that gsport continues to do.
“As a gsport Hall of Fame inductee, I just want to say that the elation that came on that day was amazing because I for once felt that I deserve it and because I deserve it, I will continue to give back. I will support the gsport endeavour because they continually recognise people that are going full circle, from nothing into the Hall of Fame. To be recognised by people as women in sport that can stand their own. I am extremely grateful that gsport has this vision of supporting and uplifting women, because if you uplift a woman, you uplift a nation.”
At the event, there was also a panel discussion with #gsport17 double finalist Lara van Niekerk, Woman in TV finalist Tumi Kgasoe and former Supporter of the Year winner, Mama Joy, who each shared their opinion on being recognised for their respective roles in the sport industry.
In closing, gsport Founder Kass Naidoo shared a heart-warming Vote of Thanks, honouring gsport’s partners who continue to support the initiative and make a difference in the advancement of women’s sport.
Click here to check out the first ever gsport Hall of Fame Luncheon on Twitter
Photo 1 Caption: Legends and icons in attendance at the first ever gsport Hall of Fame Luncheon held at Shepstone Gardens in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 7 September 2022. Photo: gsport
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