SEDIBENG.- As we reach the conclusion of Women’s Month, Sedibeng Ster Sport takes a closer look at the life of one of the most influential women in sports, Moonira ‘Mo’ Ramathula.
She is a woman on a mission to empower other women, both young and old, in the community through her organization, Futballing Girls, which is aimed at developing grassroots girls’ football. In addition to her involvement in sports, Ramathula is also an entrepreneur with specializations in travel and tourism, digital marketing, and video production, as well as creative directing and editing.
She also serves as a television talk show host for discussions centered around women in sports and holds the position of Chief Editor for a digital magazine focused on women in sports, titled “Spotlight on Women in Sport.”
In an interview with Sedibeng Ster Sport, Ramathula expressed her passion for positively impacting the lives of girls through sports. She organizes the Gauteng Women In Sports Awards, an event designed to honour women in the community who have shown dedication to the development of sports in Gauteng. This annual event spans all regions of Gauteng, including Sedibeng.
Ramathula, affectionately known as ‘Mo’ within her circle, emphasised her desire to witness the growth and advancement of female sports and female athletes in the community. Futballing Girls operates throughout the Gauteng Province, empowering women who may be less fortunate, particularly in the realm of sports.
“I am deeply passionate about effecting change in the lives of fellow women, especially the young girls within our community. I aspire to see more women engage in sports development and thrive as athletes or sports administrators. There remains significant work to be done in the realm of developing women athletes, particularly at the grassroots level.
“I am doing my utmost to bridge the gap between male and female sports participants in terms of equality. Gender inequality within women’s sports still persists and requires immediate attention. The incident involving Banyana Banyana and SAFA before the FIFA Women’s World Cup serves as a prime example, where players demanded equitable treatment in comparison to their male counterparts.
“Their demand for equality was well-founded, considering their accomplishments as the national women’s team. They deserve the respect accorded to them, irrespective of their gender or sex,” stated Ramathula who is a staunch supporter of influential women in football, with former SAFA and PSL Club executive Ria Ledwaba being among those who enjoy her support.
