2022 Momentum gsport Awards finalist in the PR and Sponsorship category Sibabalwe Sesmani is a trailblazer of note.
Sesmani is a Group CEO of a public relations and communications company called Unorthodox PR and Media Group, which focuses on providing their clients with media exposure in Southern Africa, West Africa and parts of the United Kingdom to achieve their objectives.
“Unorthodox PR and Media Group is actually turning 10 years old this year and as they say it may seem like a short period, but so much has been done over the years and the decent achievements that have come into light make it look like a short amount of time when it actually took close to a decade to get us to where we are now.
“What drives me is creating opportunities for women who look like me in spaces that are predominantly white, male oriented. What drives me is being able to show opportunities to exist and making sure I get into those rooms so I can create the space for other women to follow.”
Under the banner of Unorthodox PR and Media Group is Unorthodox Sport which aims to deliver the following for athletes in their books: Talent Management, Media Relations, Brand Management and Financial Planning.
“Unorthodox Sport was started in 2020 October. We saw a gap in athlete management when a professional athlete made an inquiry. We then got more interest from professional athletes and we grew.”
Soon after establishment of the Sport division, Sibabalwe roped in household names, she went big from get go.
“I think we’ve always believed that the proof is in the pudding. Once the athletes saw the kind of work we do and even the post retirement work we do, they were then immediately drawn to us.”
Under Unorthodox Sport you will find Springbok Women’s player, a legend and also the first female African rugby player to sign a professional contract – Babalwa Latsha, the first team to go professional for women in Rugby, the Bulls Daisies, alongside men’s Springboks Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse.
As the Group CEO she lets us in on what has been the key to success at Unorthodox:
“Being in touch with what is going on, and being very versatile. When you constantly have your ear to the ground there isn’t much that you can miss.”
A young and black female that is unapologetically owning her space as a force within the PR and Communications space. In the past 10 years she’s shattered the glass ceiling while also paving the way for more women and women of colour to enter spaces once limited to male.
In addition to being a finalist on the coveted gsport stage, Sibabalwe has participated in ABSA’s Young Pioneering Women conference, in 2017 she was nominated by Ghanaian based, Africa Youth Awards, for her first continental award as media personality of the year going up against nominees from Tanzania, Ghana and Cameroon.
In 2019 she won a Pink Power Star Award which is a platform that celebrates women doing exceptionally well in their industries. In October 2022 she won the Young Women in Leadership award by the Black Management Forum.
“That award was totally unexpected and as cliché as it may sound I was not expecting it. A friend had nominated me as they thought I was deserving and to my surprise I was shortlisted. Organisations such as BMF are credible organisations that have been around for a while so that recognition really meant a lot. It’s a testament that someone is always watching so always put your best foot forward.”
These accolades are evidence that leadership and pioneering are part of Sesmani’s DNA, she was born to make a difference and meaningful impact in the world. gsport Senior Writer Lonwabo Nkohla asked her about the concept of leadership: Are Leaders born or nurtured?
“That’s a very tricky question. I do think that leaders are born, but if you don’t work on those skills then they do fall away. I do also believe that if you are serious about leadership and you upskill yourself every chance you get, you can harness those skills.”
The B.com Economics & Econometrics graduate was humbled by the recognition received as a gsport finalist.
“I’ve researched how gsport was started, and to be recognised by an organisation that I share the same sentiments with was so humbling. The advancement of women is such an intentional initiative, and even more so in sport, as it is a very tough industry for women to crack across the value chain.”
What many of us may perceive as a highly successful career thus far Sibabalwe is not done. She yearns to see inequality be a thing of the past with women getting what they deserve.
“I really want to see a more equal representation of women in sport both on and off the field.”
“In my lifetime I want so see women athletes being paid what they deserve,” concludes Sesmani, “And one of my biggest goals is to create an ecosystem where women enrich each other financially, so put women in a better place so we are not exposed to GBV in any form.”
Photo Caption: 2022 Momentum gsport Awards finalist in the PR and Sponsorship category, Sibabalwe Sesmani is a trailblazer of note, she’s attracted and now manages high-profile clients including Babalwa Latsha and Bulls Daisies. All Photos: Supplied
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