London – The United Nations has designated the year 2024’s theme as “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment, while the campaign theme for this year is “Inspire Inclusion”.
The Bulrushes spoke to Amanda Dlamini, a former South African football player, who is currently a football analyst and football administrator.
Dlamini represented the South African women’s national team “Banyana Banyana” at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
Dlamini reveals that as a young girl, she used to play for a boy’s team.
We asked her why she wanted to become a football player.
“I was always encouraged by my dad and my cousin. I actually wanted to be an athlete or sprinter, but due to a lack of resources and coaching, football was the next big sport played by most boys back home.”
Dlamini says she had a lot of support from the people around her who gave her inspiration.
“My biggest inspiration has got to be my parents, my cousin Nkosi, my teammate Sandiso, and my legendary football inspiration, Veronica Phewa,” she says.
However, it was not an easy journey for Dlamini at all.
“I had to leave my family back home at the age of 13 or 14, adapting and digging into a new environment in every big city I found myself in in the pursuit of a football career,” recalls Dlamini.
“The bliss, though, was how rewarding and fulfilling it was to see what hard work and sheer determination can do for one’s life.
“My life changed for the better with the opportunities afforded through playing for the national team and showing great leadership as a team captain.”
After retirement, Dlamini got into the world of commentating.
“I was afforded a rare opportunity for women in the punditry space,” she says.
“Because of the media training we received at the national team level, the transition was seamless, though I still needed to do a lot more research.
“Commentary came as an opportunity from one of our senior directors, who threw me in the deep end.
“With more practice and games, I got the hang of it and started enjoying it a lot.
“I usually focus on and enjoy tactical analysis alongside a senior commentator, player behaviour, formations, and just football trends.”
Dlamini has played at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
But to be the first woman to commentate on a football match at a TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations competition was a milestone achievement.
“It shouldn’t have taken this long to have a female voice at that level,” Dlamini says.
“I’m excited, though, that under CAF’s new leadership, such milestones can be achieved and that the opportunities and platforms are being equally afforded to women on the African continent.”
We asked Dlamini what positive comment she received this year at AFCON: “You’re good at what you do; don’t be shy about it.”
Regarding the negative comments surrounding women commentating, especially about her role in AFCON this year.
Dlamini says: “I’ve had to deal with a lot of criticism as a player, and I’ve come to understand that it’s never always constructive criticism, but usually people who have a thing against women, and this is irrespective of the sporting code.
“Learning to filter remarks or comments is important.”
Dlamini spoke about the progress she has seen in her field and what needs to change for women.
“It’s massive back home, as we have female camera operators and sometimes an all-female production from directors, VTS, camera operators, presenters, and analysts,” she says.
“We need more women as pundits, analysts, and commentators at the international level, especially on the African continent.”
Dlamini wants to send a simple message to women and girls who want to achieve something but feel like it might be impossible or has never been done before.
“If there is no reference, be that reference. Don’t be afraid to be the first,” is the advice Dlamini readily gives.
