Women in Sport Blow Their Horn at the JSE

Two-time Grand Slam wheelchair tennis doubles champion Kgothatso Montjane and Commonwealth Games judo gold medalist Michaela Whitebooi made history as the first women in sport in South Africa to open markets at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, on Friday, 22 September 2023.

Leaders in women’s sport gathered for the second annual gsport Business Breakfast, where the initiative had the honour of opening the markets in its quest to bolster the commercialisation of women’s sport.

This year’s event, hosted by incomparable SABC Sport Broadcaster, Lonwabo Nkohla, was aimed at furthering the message towards a future where female athletes have the opportunity to thrive and excel on a professional level.

Montjane, who has had an outstanding year on the court, has continued to dominate the sponsorship space and welcomed the honour of being at the JSE to celebrate the corporate advances in women’s sport in 2023.

“This is cool,” Montjane expressed on being the one of the first female athletes in the country to open the trading markets for the day. 

The 37-year-old also spoke on the importance of investment from grassroots level in the country, saying, “It’s so sad that we still need to win Grand Slams in order to get sponsors. We need to change this narrative and start investing from development, grassroots levels.”

Joining in on the conversation of the day, gsport’s Newsroom partner, Telkom, represented by Chief Marketing Officer, Gugu Mthembu, highlighted the telecommunications giant’s commitment to drive the development of women’s sport and netball through their #StandTall campaign, which has encouraged greater support.

Delivering a sterling keynote address, Optimize Agency CEO, Emy Casaletti-Bwalya, took guests through the steps to victory, which led her client, Montjane, to two Grand Slam titles in a year.

“KG is such a positive person and that has led to a fruitful journey for us as a Team. We knew that we had to take steps to build KG’s brand and that was exactly what we did from day one. We had to create an awareness of her, her abilities and generate funds for her,” this strategy has led to Montjane signing multiple sponsorship deals in recent time.

Top cap off an outstanding breakfast session gsport Founder, Kass Naidoo, went on to share ten women in sport advancements, which changed the game in 2023 – The Year of Women’s Sport, including: 

Hosting Inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup –

First Ever ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Launched in Benoni

Proteas Women make history becoming the first senior SA team ever to reach a Cricket World Cup final –

Momentum Honour Proteas Women History Makers

Chloe Tryon wins the WPL and The Hundred competition –

Chloé Tryon Adds WPL Honours to Trophy Cabinet

Lydia Monyepao appointed SAFA CEO –

Lydia Monyepao Elected New SAFA CEO

World Table Tennis Championship Final –

Hosting the Table Tennis Champs Shines the Light on Current and Rising Stars

South Africa hosts Africa’s first Netball World Cup –

gsport Unleashes Free Netball World Cup Content

CSA Launch Professional Women’s League –

Cricket SA Launches Pro Domestic League to Revolutionise Women’s Cricket

Banyana Banyana reach last 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup –

Banyana Banyana Climb Up Nine Spots on Latest FIFA Rankings

KG wins French Open doubles and US Open doubles –

Kgothatso Montjane and Yui Kamiji Relish US Open Walkover Victory

Hosting of 18th Momentum gsport Awards –

Andile Dlamini Steals the Show at 2023 Momentum gsport Awards

As we head into the business end of the year, our aim is to ensure that we continue to work with common goals to advance women’s sport to greater heights in 2024 and beyond! 

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Celine Abrahams ([email protected])

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Photo 1 Caption: A moment in history – In the presence of sporting heroes Kgothatso Montjane (third from right) and Michaela Whitebooi (second from right, Commonwealth Games Judoka gold medalist), are (far left) Nontokozo Madonsela, the Group Chief Marketing Officer at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Limited; (third from left) Sithembile Ntombela, Acting CEO of Brand South Africa, and (fourth from left) Kass Naidoo, gsport Founder; all together honouring the first time that South African women athletes have opened the markets at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in Sandton, Johannesburg, on the occasion of the second gsport Business Breakfast, on Friday 22 September, 2023. Photo: Rebecca Hearfield (c) gsport 2023. Photo: Rebecca Hearfield (c) gsport 2023