KZN DSAC Honors Female Sporting Pioneers
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has opened the Women in Sport Exhibition, celebrating the remarkable contributions of women to the development of sport in the province.
Hosted at the iconic Kingsmead Cricket Stadium Museum, the exhibition explores the historical journey of women who challenged social, cultural and institutional barriers to participate in sport at local, provincial, national and international levels. It highlights the struggles, achievements and determination of female athletes who helped transform opportunities for future generations.
Throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries, women faced significant restrictions that limited their participation in organised sport. In South Africa, these inequalities were compounded by apartheid, which denied many Black women access to sporting facilities and competitions, while limiting their opportunities for recognition. Despite these obstacles, KwaZulu-Natal produced exceptional athletes who overcame discrimination to represent South Africa on continental and international stages.
The exhibition profiles pioneering sportswomen across athletics, cricket, canoeing, football, netball and rugby. It showcases barrier-breakers, world-class competitors and international representatives who have helped shape South African sport.
Among those featured are Blanche Moila and Frances Hayward in athletics; Nosipho Mthembu and Bridgitte Hartley in canoeing; Zinhle Ndawonde in rugby; Nonkululeko Mlaba in cricket; Bongiwe Msomi in netball; and Amanda Dlamini in football.
Through this initiative, the department’s Museum Services seeks to preserve and promote KwaZulu-Natal’s sporting heritage through museum interpretation, encourage girls and women to participate in sport by showcasing inspiring role models, and advance gender equality, social inclusion and heritage awareness through public education.
The exhibition adopts a community-centred, interpretive approach aligned with museum best practices, encouraging visitors to reflect on the contributions of women to sport. It highlights that the history of women in sport extends beyond medals and records; it is a story of perseverance, leadership and the determination to redefine what is possible.
The Women in Sport Exhibition will be hosted at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium Museum from 9 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Members of the public are encouraged to visit the exhibition and explore the rich and enduring contributions women continue to make to the sporting landscape.
Exhibition details
- Venue: Kingsmead Cricket Stadium Museum
- Duration: 9 October 2026 to 31 March 2027
- Time: 09:00–15:00
- Entry: Free
