Venita Masisi passionate devoted to development and woman empowerment

The founder of a local football club, community activist and chairperson of Norwood Women’s Forum Venita Masisi said her passion for community development, youth and women empowerment was the secret behind her success.

Masisi was pronounced LeadSA Hero for keeping over 100 school learners off the streets around Norwood and Orange Grove area in 2018 as well as for her sterling job in unearthing young talent in football and helping local women through her initiative, Norwood Women’s Forum.

The mother of two has been married for almost 30 years. “Growing up as a child in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape province, I was always aspired to help the poor and vulnerable to have a better life. When I moved to Gauteng in 1987 to study my LLB at Wits University, which I failed to complete because I fell pregnant, my calling to help others stuck with me. For many years I worked as a trade unionist helping workers at Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and Labour Court who had problems in their workplaces until 2010 when I decided to retire,” she said.

Masisi, who currently serves as deputy chairperson of Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association (NALFA), said her mission to keep local youngsters out of the street through soccer was yielding good results and has landed some of her players contracts in clubs oversees.

“When I retired as a trade unionist in 2010 I had no idea what I was going to do. When I saw young boys and girls roaming around doing nothing on the streets in 2013 something said to me, Venita you can do something to help these youngsters utilise their time for something positive. That was when decided to start a football club that will keep them busy and away from bad stuff.”

In 2016 her team was promoted to the senior local league in which it survived for only one season. However, the relegation served as a learning curve because one season later, Norwood Young Stars was promoted to the senior league once again. In less than eight years of its existence, the club has sent nine youngsters to countries oversees. “My players are getting contracts oversees and some in African countries. I have sent nine oversees and five in Africa. Though they are currently playing in the developments leagues, I’m glad that they are getting good exposure and best soccer skills that will help them become better players.”

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