Basadi in Action

When Lonwabo Miso walked up to the stage at Multichoice City to accept the Broadcast Journalist of the Year Award at the SAFJA Awards, it was a full-circle moment. For someone who never set out to be in sports broadcasting, her journey is a reminder that sometimes, life has a way of leading us exactly where we’re meant to be. Lonwabo Miso For many, Miso is the confident voice on Radio 2000 or the sharp, engaging presenter on SABC Sport, but behind the microphone is a story shaped by unexpected turns, bold chances, and a passion rooted in family and community. From Architecture to Airwaves Surprisingly, broadcasting wasn’t always in her plans. “I actually studied Architectural Draughting at first,” she recalls. But fate had other ideas. An audition at Voice of Wits (VOW FM) became the catalyst for a new journey. Not only did she land a slot at the campus station, but she also earned a bursary to study at the Wits Radio Academy — the real beginning of her broadcasting career. Raised in K...

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies step into the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers with a reputation that precedes them. Having lifted the continental crown in 2021 and 2023, and reaching the final in 2022 where they narrowly lost on penalties to Zambia’s Green Buffaloes, Banyana Ba Style remain unbeaten in open play in the regional qualifiers since their debut. Andile Dlamini  © Gallo Images Banyana Banyana and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies goalkeeper Andile "Sticks" Dlamini knows the weight of expectation on her team’s shoulders. Having already established themselves as a dominant force in women’s football, Sundowns go into the tournament as favorites — but with that comes added pressure. “We are looking forward to the tournament and we are aware that we’ve made a name for ourselves,” Dlamini said. “This tournament won’t be easy — everyone that plays against us will want to be at their top A-game. We are fully aware of that, and we know what the club, the fans, our famil...

Every August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month — a time to honour the trailblazers, change-makers, and everyday heroines shaping the future. In sport, these women are not just breaking barriers on the field but also redefining leadership, visibility, and opportunity off it. Among them is Indira Sofia Albuquerque, a former footballer turned sports marketing professional whose journey reflects both the challenges and the promise of women’s football.   Indira Sofia Albuquerque “I’ve always had a love for sport,” she begins with a smile. “I was a shy child, but being on a track, a field, or a court was my language.”  Hollywoodbets SL Log Indira’s early sporting life was a mix of athletics, netball, and tennis. Football only entered the picture when she was about 15 or 16. “I was a late bloomer,” she narrated, “but my athletic ability quickly made me stand out.” Not long after she started playing, South African football icon Janine van Wyk scouted her for her newly establ...

From the dusty streets of Kgaphamadi in Limpopo to the bright lights of the 2024 WAFCON stage, Dineo Magagula is the definition of resilience. Born and raised in a small village where football is more than just a sport—it’s a way out—Dineo’s journey began with playing barefoot with boys after school. At the time, she didn’t have gloves, boots, or even proper gear—but what she did have was passion. Dineo Magagula clean sheets Dineo Magagula  © Gallo Images “I used to play with my cousins and the local boys’ teams. I fell in love with soccer because it was the one thing that made me feel alive,” she says. Despite the many challenges, including financial constraints that made it almost impossible to afford proper goalkeeping equipment, Dineo never stopped dreaming. Her mother, her biggest supporter, made sacrifices to help her buy gear whenever she could, sometimes saving for months just to afford a single pair of gloves. “I would buy whatever gloves I could afford. Sometimes I had to...

As Banyana Banyana prepare to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown in Morocco from 5 to 26 July, the recently announced 28-player preliminary squad by head coach Desiree Ellis is turning heads — not only for the fresh talent included but for the absence of several seasoned champions from the side that lifted the trophy in 2022. Thinasonke Mbuli  © Gallo Images South Africa, who clinched their first-ever WAFCON title in Casablanca three years ago, will enter the 2025 edition as defending champions. However, a number of experienced players who played key roles in that historic triumph have been left out of this year’s setup, signaling a possible changing of the guard. Among the most notable omissions is Thembi Kgatlana, South Africa’s star forward currently playing international football with Tigres in Mexico. She is joined on the sidelines by fellow 2022 squad members including defenders like Janine van Wyk and Noko Matlou, who have since retired from internatio...

 Janine Van Wyk is no stranger to South African football. As a veteran defender, former national team captain, and founder of JVW FC, her influence on the women’s game has been undeniable. Now, she embarks on a new journey as head coach of JVW FC in the Hollywoodbets Super League. We caught up with her to discuss her transition from player to coach, her expectations for the season, and the broader landscape of women’s football in South Africa. Janine Van Wyk  © Gallo Images From Captain to Coach: A New Challenge Transitioning from a playing role to coaching is never easy, and Van Wyk acknowledges the challenges she has faced in her new position. “Shifting from playing to coaching has been a big adjustment, especially in terms of decision-making. As a player, you focus on your own performance, but as a coach, you have to manage an entire squad, balance different personalities, and make tough tactical and selection decisions,” she says. Another challenge has been separating my p...