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#W24Tastemaker: "Women’s sport does not get nearly as much respect as it deserves."

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Raised in a family of rugby players, Sibongile Mafu developed a passion for sports. Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Rhodes University, this young woman moved to Cape Town where she joined the 94.5 Kfm breakfast team as a sports reporter. 

We had a few questions for her:

1. How do you manage to do all you do? Do you have a time turner like in Harry Potter?

The best advice I’ve ever received was to nap as much as possible. This was from my pre-school teacher. I never feel bad about taking time to rest and recuperate because it’s the only way I can fully enjoy what I do.

Procrastination away from the public eye can make one very productive.

My days start at 4:30am every morning, which can be a bit of a blessing and a curse (grrr… more sleep, please). The blessing of course, is being able to squeeze in a lot of things in my day, and also take time out without feeling too guilty. I feel a lot less guilty about my day wrapping up early when I know I’ve paid my early morning taxes already.

I’m also a writer, but because I work from home, I can procrastinate far away from the judgmental eyes of colleagues and bosses. Procrastination away from the public eye can make one very productive. Believe it.

2. Seriously, how do you juggle?

I don’t see it as juggling. I have so many interests and so many things I’m involved in but they’re all just a part of my day. I make it work. I’m someone who loves being busy as long as the busy is fun.

I try to have a very loose plan for the week ahead, which will help me meet deadlines and fulfill obligations, but also gives me wiggle room to be quite flexible when things are thrown my way. I’m most productive in the mornings and evenings so my afternoons are usually for me.

I have the privilege of being able to take my laptop and work in the sunshine if I need a bit of inspiration, or go to my favourite gin, I mean coffee bar for my favourite treats for a pick-me-up. It does help.

3. Who is your favourite sport star?

Caster Semenya and Wayde van Niekerk are my everything. They’ve made me delirious with joy and it’ll probably last until 2050.

They’re gifted, hard-working athletes who have both achieved victory not only in their respective fields but also victory in what they represent.

I love them, not only because they were able to perform on the biggest sporting stage in the world, but because of what that it all means. They’re gifted, hard-working athletes who have both achieved victory not only in their respective fields but also victory in what they represent.

I feel they’re the small step forward to the kind of world I would like to live in – inclusive, diverse and transformed. 

4. What is the biggest challenge you face as a woman in your field?

Mansplaining. Men still think they own the sporting space so they will often talk over you or interrupt you without giving you the space to share your views.

People will second-guess you before you’ve said a word. There’s this air of constantly needing to prove your credentials and prove that you are worthy and deserving.

This is not only from professionals but also from fans of sport that take a little bit longer to warm up to you in that space. It can be challenging because it takes you away from your work, constantly having to explain your existence.

5. In the news story of your life, what would the headline read?

‘She Survived Adulthood and Lived To Tell The Tale’

6. What superpower would you want?

Teleportation

Transformation has been a sluggish process in this country, and women’s sport does not get nearly as much respect as it deserves.

7. If you could have dinner with anyone from history/celebrity, who would you choose?

Beyoncé. Always Beyoncé. 

8. Why do you think female athletes get less public support than male ones, and do you have hopes that it will change in future? 

I think it’s because  It’s often an after thought, or an annoyance.  Our female athletes are not paid very much and are often juggling other things alongside their professional careers to make ends meet.

And visibility as well.  People can only support what they see. That’s why the Springboks are the brand they are and the Proteas are the brand they are. We SEE them.

I do know a lot of work is being done to improve the visibility of women’s sport in South Africa, with a lot more cricket games being televised, for example.

Women’s sport can no longer be the curtain-raiser to the main (man) game – it is rockstar entertainment on its own.

And the sooner it’s treated as such, the better.

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