Cynthia Tshaka … Need we say more? That is all the introduction the trailblazing sports broadcaster needs. When her name is mentioned, South Africa knows exactly who is being talked about. Tshaka was among the esteemed judging panel for the milestone gsport Awards, where the event will be celebrating its 20th year.
A pioneering media professional, she was the first-ever black female sportscaster, and she has now been in the industry for three decades.
Tshaka might be well-known to our sports-loving country, but one of her remarkable qualities is her humility. Despite her star power in sports media, she remains someone who is accessible and always has a kind word for those who might need it.
This year marks 10 years since Tshaka was bestowed with a Special Recognition Award at the 2015 gsport Awards, and she says this is something that she never expected, as she was never honoured in such a way before.
“Well, now I must go back ten years ago, when I was honoured by gsport Awards,” says Tshaka.
“It was an incredible year. For me, it was awesome to be honoured, to be seen by many of you. You know, I’ve been in sports since 1994. Yes. 1994, with Elisma du Toit.”
Legendary South African Sports Broadcaster, Cynthia Tshaka
“We hosted a show on SABC three at the time, and then I went on to work on SABC 1 and 2, because if you remember back in the day, sport was across SABC 1, 2, and 3, and I had never been honoured,” says Tshaka.
“You know, nobody saw me, because I am not the kind of person who is going to say, ‘I’m the first of this, I’m the first this’… And I just went on quietly with my life, but then Kass said to me: ‘I know when I arrived at SABC Sport, when I arrived to do the Cricket World Cup in 2003, Cynthia, you were there! We worked together, and there is no way I cannot honour you.’”
With her modest mindset, Tshaka didn’t feel the need to be celebrated but was reminded by gsport-founder Kass Naidoo that she should be honoured for groundbreaking achievements that have paved the way for countless women since she was first on our screens in 1995.
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“It was great to be recognised, to be seen by somebody as incredible as Kass, somebody who is a trailblazer. Kass does not blow her horn and say, I am this, first, this, I’m the first woman of cricket. No! Her work speaks volumes for itself,” said Tshaka.
“And then, when she decided to do the gsport Awards and honour women in sport who have not been seen, who are overlooked for whatever reason, I was very honoured to be one of those women. So thank you, gsport, for honouring me!”
With over 30 years in any industry is not something many people can boast about, but Tshaka can be proud of her staying power in the media world, in an ever-changing industry, she has moved with it. She has shared that her determination to stay in the industry is to ensure that there is gender parity across the board, on and off the field.
“Loving and having a passion for sport is what keeps me in sport. I transitioned from being an athlete to being a sports broadcaster because I believed that sport is an equaliser, sport should level the playing field, but sadly, it is not allowed to do so. Sport is a tool to change people’s lives, including women’s lives,” she said.
“What makes me stay in sport is the sad realisation that 31 years after South Africa signed the Brighton Declaration, women are still having a raw deal in sport. Many women are not able to partake in the economy of sport. Many women today still have to choose between staying in sport, or going to find work, as they need to pay bills.”
“Women in South Africa cannot fully stay in sport and be paid a salary that can change the quality of their lives. This is what makes me stay in sport. The day women get equal treatment and they equally benefit economically in sport, will be the day I can say, ‘We did it for generations to come’.”
Tshaka added that being able to be in the industry for a lengthy amount of time is something she doesn’t take for granted.
“Being part of Sport 30 years when I first started in 1995 as a young lady co presenting a sport show with Elisma du Toit, having only the passion of sport, that was identified by Simon Magasela, the hunger to tell sport stories, being scared to work with the legends such as Trevor Quirk and Martin Locke – just to mention a couple of sport legends back then, and still be able to inspire young women and men – is just an honour!”
“I never thought I could do that because when I started in sport broadcasting on TV in 1995, and later on Radio 2000 with the late Sibusiso Mseleku, and Louis Karpas, it was a scary situation as you were in the room with the ‘Big Boys’, so to speak, in a ‘Men’s World of Sport”.
“So the intention was to be the best I can be every day. The intention was to enjoy my work and show and prove that women also love sport and women are also capable of being sports broadcasters.”
“I focused on being the best every time I showed up for work because I knew if I failed, women would have failed, because women were not welcomed in sport broadcasting at the time. The atmosphere was rough – You were scrutinised for what you wear, what you say, and how you say it. It was a difficult but rewarding time.”
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Tshaka had this advice for young women looking to join the world of sports broadcasting “The passion of your chosen sporting code will set you apart. Learn more than one sporting code so that you can get more work. Do not mimic a certain individual; be your authentic self.”
“Do not join sports broadcasting because you are chasing celebrity status; you are not going to last because there are so many who are chasing fame using sport.”
“Those who will stay and make a difference are those who are driven by passion and want to make a difference. Acknowledge those who have come before you and respect the fact that they took bullets for you so that you can shine. Do not compete with anyone but yourself. Be grateful.”
Main Photo Caption: Pioneering sports broadcaster Cynthia Tshaka was the first black female sports presenter in South Africa, and because of her trailblazing success, she opened doors for many women to join the industry. All Photos: gsport
Photo 2 Caption: Tshaka was invited to be an esteemed member of the 2025 gsport Awards Judge, once again, in Johannesburg this past week.
Photo 3 Caption: Recalling winning on the gsport stage, Tshaka said “It was an incredible year. It was awesome to be honoured, to be seen by many of you.”
Photo 4 Caption: “What makes me stay in sport is the sad realisation that 31 years after SA signed the Brighton Declaration, women still have a raw deal in sport.”
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