A trickle, not landscape-changing deluge
● SA sport might have taken huge strides towards gender equality but some leading administrators note they are on a road under perpetual construction.
Women are better represented in almost all spheres of sport, including administration, but the progress is a trickle rather than a landscape-changing deluge.
As one of the enduring figures in local football administration, Natasha Tsichlas has experienced SA without, and with, a constitution that enshrines rights for all.
“I know the government talks about a 50/50 split, but there was a time when I was the only woman in football and today I can see a difference,” said Tsichlas.
Ilhaam Groenewald, the first woman appointed to the SA Rugby Union’s (Saru) executive council, agrees.
“You can see how the landscape has changed, especially on the field,” she says.
While the times are a-changin’ for some, like Cycling SA president Ciska du PlessisAustin, there is some ambivalence.
“I had a women’s summit with about 25 people and we asked the same question, whether we have progressed. The answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’.
“I’m not a feminist and I have nothing against men but we have to increase the number of women, black and para representation,” said Du Plessis-Austin.
Her ambivalence isn’t misplaced. As is often the case with representation in this country, two steps forward are offset by one back.
While Tsichlas noted the progress in her sport, fellow soccer luminary Ria Ledwaba’s ousting as Safa’s vice-president earlier this year was unedifying. Groenewald, until recently, was a board member at Saru but this is no longer the case despite her declaring her availability.
Still, Tsichlas believes in many ways football is leading the way. “We have five women on the executive of Safa (SA Football Association). Years back I would not have expected that in my wildest dreams. I used to be laughed at but now I feel very proud. Now daughters want to play football,” she said.
Groenewald, who is Stellenbosch University’s director of sport, believes change has to start in the boardroom. “If we do not change the representation to have more women at the table, our male counterparts will think they may speak on our behalf.
“It speaks to culture. Culture is so powerful it can make or break any organisation. We have to relate this to the fundamental values of sport.
“It is about integrity, inclusion, fair play on and off the field.
“We are not making any strides in that regard. Look at the current representation in the current so-called board at Sascoc [SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee].
“The constitution was changed earlier this year for 50% representation. How do we translate that to every level?”
Du Plessis-Austin also has a bone to pick with Sascoc. “You cannot look at Sascoc and say our representation for women is transformed. We have to go into every part of leadership and change it.
“We have changed our constitution on 15 August. We are saying 25% of us should be women and 25% should be black. You can’t be both.
“By 2022 the provinces will relook their constitutions so that they can reflect the same numbers in the executive committees.
“When it comes to equality, we often focus on one thing and we don’t see what the big picture has to look like. It is easy to develop tunnel vision and forget that we should create an inclusive society. Then we will be much more successful,” said Du PlessisAustin.