YOUNG SOUTH AFRICANS URGED TO STAND TALL BY NETBALL HEROES
Countdown to Netball World Cup 2023 kicks off in stirring manner
8 February 2023, Johannesburg – Today saw Telkom, an Official Partner of the 2023 Netball World Cup, launch the ‘Stand Tall’ campaign, an initiative designed to use netball as catalyst to encourage South African youth to embrace their individuality, follow their dreams whilst growing participation in the sport ahead of the tournament.
The SPAR Proteas netball players Bongi Msomi, Izette Griesel; Khanyisa Chawane and Tshina Mdau have been selected to inspire young South Africans to reach their potential ahead of the first African hosted Netball World Cup 2023, set to take place in Cape Town in July. The sporting heroes shared personal stories encouraging the youthful crowd to rise above any challenges faced in the pursuit of their dreams.
Through shining a spotlight on South Africa’s netball heroes, Stand Tall aims to illustrate to the youth that they can be their own heroes by turning their individuality and differences into strengths.
SPAR Proteas netball captain, Bongi Msomi, epitomizes how being confident in yourself can lead you to a life of success and purpose saying, “I have so much appreciation for where I come from. What keeps me going is the understanding of who I am outside of netball or who I was before the sport. If you can’t do something because you’re scared of failing, then you cannot move – but if you can stand tall above your challenges, anything is possible.”
“I’d love to use my involvement in Stand Tall to plough back and develop upcoming athletes as well as young people, so they can end up better than I am. By partnering with Telkom on this inspiring initiative, my hope is that I will come closer to achieving this goal and harness the platform of netball to inspire our youth, no matter what their dream may be,” added Msomi.
Stand Tall will see Msomi, Griesel, Chawane and Mdau sharing their stories to encourage young South Africans and grow netball through inspiring content, netball clinics and netball events from now until the Netball World Cup 2023.
“The honour of hosting the Netball World Cup 2023 is evidence that Netball in South Africa continues to go from strength to strength. With this, comes an opportunity to showcase the major personalities within the sport – personalities who can set an example to our youth and inspire them to have full belief in their abilities, regardless of who they are or where they’ve grown up – so they can also become heroes of the future and show the world what they are made of,” said Gugu Mthembu, Chief Marketing Officer at Telkom.
“Telkom is immensely proud to be partner with netball through the Netball World Cup; the SPAR Proteas; Telkom Netball League and Telkom Netball Championships. Our hope is that with the launch of Stand Tall, we will be able to contribute to the continued growth of the sport, shine a light on its heroes and inspire future generations. I urge all South Africans to get behind netball and our national team ahead of the various tournaments,” Mthembu concluded.
The 16th edition of the Netball World Cup will be held in Africa for the first time since its inception in 1963, making it a momentous occasion for South Africa. It is time for the South African youth to Stand Tall and embrace their talents and live a better life and live their monate.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HwnmyW3sSk and watch the official Stand Tall campaign hero TVC and to find out.