UNITED Through Sport coordinator Lindiwe Cezula’s passion to transform the lives of girls from Nelson Mandela Bay has resulted in her winning an international competition, co-sponsored by Nike.
Cezula was announced as one of the winners of the Gurls Talk Made to Play Fund Competition, Women Win, in partnership with Nike.
The competition was open to young women under the age of 25, whose organisations are based in either Ghana, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Italy, France or South Africa.
The purpose of the competition was to support inspirational young women from across the world, to encourage the next generation of girls to get active.
Part of the winning package included grant funding, active wear and a spot in Women Win’s Leadership Development Programme, which will include a trip to Paris, France, in June this year.
Cezula said that it had always been her passion to create a safe space for girls.
“To just talk and share all our experiences on the expectations that society has of us.
“I would like to see the day when the girls own their bodies, the colour of their skin and most importantly, for them to know that they have the body, the mind and the courage; and that they are in charge of it all,” she said.
Sharing her plans on utilising the Gurls Talk Made to Play Fund grant she said she hoped to develop a dance programme for United Through Sport’s girls’ empowerment programme, GirlsUnite.
“The purpose of the dance programme will be to get the girls moving through physical activity, while teaching critical life-skills lessons to boost their confidence, resilience and levels of self-actualisation,” Cezula said.
Cezula graduated with her BA degree, majoring in political science and public administration, from Nelson Mandela University in April this year.
In primary school, her netball talents were spotted by United Through Sport director, Nick Mould, on a dusty sport field in Zwide.
“We are extremely proud of Lindiwe.
“She came into our programme when she was just 11 years old, and to see her grasp the opportunities that have come her way and then complete the circle by giving back to the next generation is hugely inspirational.
“She encompasses the vision of United Through Sport and is a true example of the potential that exists within the youth of our society if they are just given the right support,” said Mould.
