Sasol In Society Report - Book - Page 82
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Year in Review: South Africa
Feature
Story
Fifteen years ago, Sasol embarked on a ground breaking journey with the South African Football Association (SAFA)
to revolutionise women’s football in the country. Our vision was clear, and it rested on two primary goals:
Raising the Standard of Women’s Football
At the heart of our mission was a commitment
to elevate women’s football in South Africa from the
grassroots level right up to the national team. We
recognised the untapped potential and talent that
existed among young girls who aspired to play the
beautiful game. Through our enduring partnership
with SAFA, we aimed to provide them with the
opportunities, resources, and platforms needed to
flourish.
Empowering Young Women Through Sport
Beyond the playing field, we aspired to empower
young women to transform their lives through sports.
We understood that sports had the power not only to
develop athletes but also to instill essential life skills,
discipline, and confidence. We wanted to create a
pathway where dreams could be realised.
While the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup marked a
significant milestone for Banyana Banyana, the 2023
edition brought added pressure as the team entered
the tournament as African Champions.
Banyana Banyana’s journey at the World Cup was
nothing short of extraordinary. Their performance
during the group stages was exceptional, earning
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SASOL IN SOCIETY 2023
them a well-deserved spot in the annals of World
Cup history. Advancing to the round of 16 reflects
the team’s unwavering determination to reshape the
narrative of South African women’s football. Their
display of character, tenacity, and courage exemplifies
how they continue to defy expectations, both on and
off the field.
As Sasol, we are honored to be part of the history of
women’s football, from being the first corporate entity
to believe in the sport to standing steadfastly behind
the team when they made history. We take pride in the
strides we’ve made in inspiring young girls to dream
and realise that they can move from the realm of
the necessary to the possible, ultimately achieving
the impossible.
In celebrating Banyana Banyana’s remarkable
journey, we reaffirm our commitment to women’s
empowerment, not only in sports but also in business
and society, within our communities and beyond.
The 2023 Sasol League season, consisting of
approximately 140 teams across the nine provinces
of South Africa, commenced over the February/March
period. Women’s football fixtures are being played
every weekend until September/October each year.
