Advocate for women and children’s rights in sport Olivia Jasriel, former runner turned administrator Dorah Mngwevu, and passionate women’s football supporter, Siyabulela Loyilane contest the Special Recognition accolade at the 2022 Momentum gsport Awards.
The Special Recognition category celebrates a woman who goes beyond the call of duty, and has made a long and positive impact on SA women in sport.
Jasriel is an activist who works relentlessly in protecting women and children from abuse in sports. She is also part of Women and Men against Child Abuse organization.
When told about her recogntition for this year’s Momentum gsport Awards, Jasriel was in disbelief.
“Well at first I thought it was someone playing a prank on me. Then I went into private investigator mode only to find out it was real. The nomination came as a huge surprise and to be honest when I started with my own personal journey with infamous Tennis Player Bob Hewitt, it was tough and very lonely. Then after he was found guilty people started contacting me for help and I always said and still maintain that I would never do what I do for recognition, credit or glory. I do what I do because I don’t ever want a child to have to endure what I went through and then carry that trauma into their adulthood. I love what I do and to me the most glorious thing to see is when a victim of abuse suddenly stands up straight, lifts their head up and they get a twinkle in their eye. That’s when I know they are going to be ok.”
She further added: “To be a Special Recognition finalist is a great honour but it’s not about me. The special recognition award should go to every victim of abuse who has had the courage to speak up and take their lives back. The fact that I have the honour of their trust in me is the biggest reward I could ask for.”
Mngwevu started out as a runner, and later went on to become the voice for athletes. She now has 33 years’ worth of experience in athletic development. Following her running days, Mngwevu became an administrator hosting and directing races including Soweto Marathon, Chris Hani Marathon and leading SA teams as National Manager in International Championships.
Mngwevu, who is a former Athletics South Africa board member, co-founded the ISMO Athletics Club: a foundation aimed at bridging the gap in rural areas due to the lack of good sponsorship, for athletics development events.
2020 Momentum gsport Awards’ Volunteer of the Year recipient, Loyilane has been a selfless leader in her community, always seeking to see those around her expand their dreams and most importantly achieve them.
Speaking on gsport Twitter Space Thursday Loyilane said: “Winning the award in 2020 gave me more courage to say I am on the right track and made me realize I can still do so much more. I will continue to be an advocate for women’s rights in football. Administrators and those that work behind the scenes do most of the work but they are always the one’s being overlooked. In terms of my personal growth, I have now joined the COSAFA space and trying to make sure that I impart my knowledge to others because in this industry, you cannot grow alone.”
In 2021, Susie Pather took home the coveted Special Recognition award.
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