Wandile Dlodlo: “It’s a Proud Moment Every Time We Are Celebrated”

The gsport Newsroom powered by Momentum in partnership with Telkom, held the fourth edition of the gsport Annual List of Newsmakers event to celebrate women in sport who dominated headlines throughout the year.

Featuring on the list was maiden 2022 Telkom Netball League winners, Golden Fireballs. The team dethroned five-time champions Gauteng Jaguars to walk away with the coveted title.

Representing the Fireballs at #GAL2022, Team Manager Wandile Dlodlo was joined by three team players as they were honoured for their historic feat.

Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Dlodlo chats about her experience at #GAL2022 and South Africa being a World Cup country in 2023.

Wandile, thank you for chatting to us! Please tell us about your first-time experience being at #GAL2022.

Our first experience was a good one. We didn’t know what to expect and when we got there we were absolutely amazed at the standard and quality of the event. We couldn’t stop complimenting everything and were very happy and excited.

What are your thoughts about the work that gsport does to close the visibility gap in women’s sport?

As women in sport, we never take the work gsport does for women’s sport for granted and we are grateful for it. Closing the visibility gap not only empowers women’s sport, but also gives us a great chance to reaching the same stream as men’s sport.

What did it mean to the team to headline the Mail & Guardian Telkom Netball League supplement?

For the first time the Fireballs won TNL, and we couldn’t have done it without the support from the public, so for us to headline the Mail & Guardian it’s an honour and it just reminds us that our hard work paid off and it’s a proud moment every time we are celebrated.

How do you feel about the work Telkom does to raise the profile of netball through the Telkom Netball League?

Telkom has been such a blessing to netball, and we pray they stay with us through this great journey as netball continues to evolve and grow. TNL doesn’t only give playing opportunities, but it plays a great role in identifying the best in the country and allowing them to perform and play at such a high level of Netball.

At the event, gsport Founder Kass Naidoo announced the #WorldCupWednesday campaign to amplify all efforts to shine the spotlight on South Africa as World Cup country in 2023. What do you think about the launch and your hopes for 2023?

During the event we realised that there is so much we take for granted about sport we are not aware of. So, the launch of #WorldCupWednesday is a great initiative as it brings the light to the different sporting codes that will be hosting their respective World Cups in South Africa and celebrating them but mostly making people aware of them. The spread in awareness increases support and also makes 2023 a year to look forward to with all the action and high-profile sporting events.

Photo 1 Caption: Golden Fireballs Team Manager Wandile Dlodlo pictured at the 2022 gsport Annual List of Newsmakers event at Workshop 17 in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 7 December. Photo: gsport