As a proud sponsor of Banyana Banyana, we unveiled a campaign for the team’s world cup campaign that took place in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July – 20 August 2023. This campaign, encapsulated in the bold statement “South Africa, your support is our energy”, as a call for all South Africans to stand fully behind the team as they will be undertaking this mammoth task of representing the country on this global stage.
Speaking at the launch event, Charlotte Mokoena – Sasol’s Executive Vice President for Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations, said Sasol is reaffirming its commitment to the national team through this campaign, having been a part of the squad for 15 years.
“Nelson Mandela once said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people”. Now we are headed to the biggest stage in women’s football, where the challenge is bigger, the opponents are harder, and every game is difficult. However, I can attest that these ladies are fearless and will represent South Africa to the best of their ability, BUT they need us, South Africa. This is our chance to show the world what our athletes are capable of, but more importantly, what they can do with the support of a nation”.
Mokoena explained that as humans, we all need the energy to perform our daily duties – in our different vocations, for learners and students to study – we cannot do anything without energy. This campaign is a call to all 60 million South Africans to show their support and rally behind the team. She implores people to send messages of support that will give the team energy to perform optimally throughout the tournament period. “This energy will enable the team to train harder, have more power on the field, and take on their opponents head-on! – knowing that South Africa is behind them all the way!”
Sasol’s sponsorship journey with Banyana Banyana
Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana are South Africa’s senior national women’s football team and the country’s most successful national football team of recent times. Following South Africa’s readmission to international football in 1992, the woman’s football team was first assembled in 1993 with a match against Swaziland.
In 2009, Sasol went into partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA), officially launching its sponsorship of the national team and breaking the mould as one of few companies that have energised the women’s game in the country.
The aim of the partnership is to develop and support women’s football by creating opportunities for the team to participate in international tournaments around the globe.
Through Sasol’s backing for Banyana Banyana, the team has shown massive growth and achievements each year. These include the team’s qualification for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, participation in the Olympic Games Women’s Football Tournament in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
The team claimed the COSAFA Championship four years running in 2017 and 2020. In addition, Banyana Banyana were also crowned the 2022 CAF African Women’s Champions, with striker Thembi Kgatlana winning the CAF Women’s Footballer and Goal of the Year accolades in 2018 and coach Desiree Ellis being named as a 3x CAF Women’s Coach of the Year.
Over the years, Sasol’s impact on the women’s game has resulted in more and more players being recognised through college scholarships and signed by clubs internationally.
With most of the Banyana Banyana players coming from the Sasol League, the partnership between Sasol and SAFA has made a real difference in the development of women’s football. Graduates that have gone on to spread their wings at bigger clubs and leagues have illuminated the path so that young girls can believe that their dreams can also come true.
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