I’m very passionate about girl children and empowerment
Amanda Dlamini BANYANA STAR
Think of any South African women’s football player and Amanda Dlamini’s name will definitely spring to mind.
There’s no doubt that Dlamini’s decade-long spell with Banyana Banyana has in large part placed her among a handful of the most recognisable female players in the country, along with her idol, the now retired Portia Modise.
However, not many have had more impact off the field like Dlamini, the lass from Harding, KwaZulu-Natal, who came to prominence with Banyana in 2007.
Dlamini, 29, regards herself as a role model for many girls, a duty she juggles with several other ambassadorial roles.
Although Banyana have been idle since the African Women’s Championships in November last year, Dlamini has been active in other pursuits. Just recently, she teamed up with Standard Chartered’s Goal programme, a community initiative aimed at empowering adolescent girls from deprived areas with life skills
“I am very passionate about girl children and their empowerment,” Dlamini told Sowetan during a one-on-one interview. Toko – as her peers call her – had just addressed the programme’s “Beyond Girl’s Education Global Summit” in Sandton, Johannesburg, with an audience that ranged from civil society to the private sector to academia.
“One of the things that stood out [from the summit] was not just education. It was a holistical programme that encourages young girls that there is more out there,” noted the former Banyana captain.
“Some people don’t want to do the right thing. They are aware that the voice of women or young girls is not heard.
“I don’t know if it’s ignorance. I’m talking about equality across the field of play, fair opportunities.
“Having said that, maybe it’s a cultural battle that we still face as women.
“We are still being subjected to being the second person and are therefore invalid.”
Dlamini credited her good standing in society to how her parents, both educators, raised her and her brother.
“My mom is very strict. She’s a school principal and my dad is a teacher,” she chuckled. “But my mom actually did well raising me and my younger brother Ayanda,” said the University of Johannesburg graduate, who holds a degree in transport management.
How does Dlamini juggle all her different roles? One minute she is a soccer analyst on TV, the next a motivational speaker or appearing in her sponsors’ photo-shoots if she is
I’m very passionate about girl children and their empowerment
not marshalling the midifeld of her club Janine Van Wyk FC on match days.
“Growing up, I did my chores first and my life has been routine-based since,” said the two-time Olympian.
As for how she remains grounded despite her successes on and off the field, Dlamini said: “I always try to be real with myself. You can achieve everything in the world but humility must still be there.”
She’ll soon jet off to New York for the under-12 boys Danone Nations Cup world finals, when she accompanies Mophela Primary School from Hammarsdale, KZN, as the diary product company’s ambassador.