At exactly 12 noon on Friday, curious South Africans stopped what they were doing and tuned in. Offices paused, homes hushed, and cellphones lit up as the 2025 gsport Awards finalists were announced live on SABC 1, a moment that united the nation in celebrating women in sport as Women’s Month kicked off in South Africa.
For one electric hour, from 12 to 1pm, the broadcast turned into a national gathering, proving once again why the gsport Awards, now in their 20th edition, are Africa’s longest-running celebration of women’s sport.
Since its launch on 1 August 2006, gsport has worked tirelessly to close the visibility gap in women’s sport. Partnering with SABC News and SABC Sport, the platform has made sure South Africa’s sportswomen aren’t just seen, but celebrated.
This year marks the 20th edition of the gsport Awards – 20 ceremonies since the very first awards were presented on the day of the launch in August 2006. The 20th anniversary of gsport will be celebrated next year, marking two decades of empowering women in sport.
As soon as finalists were announced live on SABC, the excitement was instant. Voting on the gsport website spiked so dramatically that servers struggled to keep up. On SABC Sport’s Facebook page, with 3.3 million followers, fans shared, liked, and commented in real time as the finalists’ names were revealed across SABC Sport’s digital assets.
In studio, the atmosphere was charged with pride and purpose:
“All those women in sport — their voices are heard, are seen, and are celebrated. Women, as we rise, you rise with other women,” said Lenah Sithole, Worldwide Sports COO.
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“Growing up, we were taught to dim our lights, and with gsport, all of us have got the space to really be the best we could be,” reflected Pheladi Mphahlele, CEO of Red Cherry Interactive.
“It can inspire the young girls. They should know that the world is an oyster for them.”
SABC Sport General Manager, Keletso Totlhanyo
And Sithembile Ntombela, representing Brand South Africa, declared: “Through this gsport platform, we advocate for women’s empowerment, equality. That’s why we came, as we said, ‘Hi, we are here to support.’”
The broadcast doubled as a birthday party. Multiple gsport Award winner, Mama Joy — South Africa’s most beloved sports superfan — brought a birthday cake onto the set, a warm reminder of how far gsport has come since its first award in 2006.
Before the hour wrapped, Pheladi Mphahlele announced the launch of #SportFridays, a campaign inviting South Africans to show their pride every Friday by backing our sports stars.
Voting for the gsport Awards continues until 10 August, with results to be verified by independent auditors. Soon after, the nation will turn its eyes to the glittering 20th gsport Awards ceremony — endorsed by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and supported by SABC Sport, Telkom, Brand South Africa, Inverroche, Worldwide Sports, and Red Cherry Interactive.
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Friday, 1 August 2025, proved that women’s sport in South Africa is no longer waiting for recognition – it’s commanding it. And as the Class of 2025 heads into the final stretch, one thing is certain: gsport is not just making history. It’s making headlines.
Main Photo Caption: Offices paused, homes hushed, and cellphones lit up as the 2025 gsport Awards Finalists were announced live on SABC 1 in a moment that united the nation in celebrating women in sport, as Women’s Month kicked off in South Africa. All Photos: gsport / Alaister Russell
Photo 2 Caption: The broadcast was in the very capable hands of SABC television and radio sports Anchor, Lonwabo Miso.
Photo 3 Caption: SABC Sport GM, Keletso Totlhanyo, said of gsport: “It can inspire the young girls. They should know that the world is an oyster for them.”
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