Media Statement: South African athletes make country proud

It has been an exciting weekend for South African (SA) sport, as we have seen local athletes reaching exciting new heights in their various disciplines.
 
Wheelchair tennis player Khothatso Montjane became the first South African woman ever to win a Roland Garros title in the women’s doubles event, while Donald Ramphadi became the first male SA tennis player to win a Roland Garros title since 1981, after winning in the men’s doubles final on Saturday. 
 
The Capetonian boxer Lunga Sitemela made the Western Cape proud by winning the WBF World Title fight in Gaborone on Saturday. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has supported Lunga in his journey to becoming the world title holder and we are very proud of his achievement.
 
On Sunday morning, South Africans Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn emerged as the winners of the men’s and women’s categories of the Comrades Marathon, with both setting new record times.
 
The Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, said: “We are so excited to see our South African athletes performing well and setting new records at international events. They make an important impact as role-models for our youth to show them that anything is possible if you work hard and dedicate yourself to developing your skills.”
 
We are excitedly looking forward to supporting our South African womens’ teams at two upcoming World Cup events – Banyana Banyana will be competing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia in July and Cape Town will be hosting the Netball World Cup 2023 from 28 July. We look forward to seeing our women’s teams doing well at these tournaments.