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Ilhaam Groenewald: Change agent for women in sport
Author: Pia Nänny
Published: 09/08/2016

On Women's Day, Ilhaam Groenewald, Chief Director: Maties Sport, first female member of SARU's executive council and deputy chairperson of University Sport South Africa (USSA), tells us more about her journey and her hopes and dreams for women in sport.

When you ask her whether she regards herself as a pioneer, she answers in a roundabout way.

"I have presented innovative ideas, implemented new strategies, have been the forerunner as a woman in taking up senior leadership positions and have discovered and nurtured talent through my mentoring initiatives. Am I a pioneer? Well, it is up to those I work with to decide. I do consider myself as a change agent using sport as an amazing mechanism."

She believes the contribution of women in sport is still under-valued and can be improved with more women serving in decision-making positions with appropriate systems in place to register continuous advancement. 

"Credit, gratitude, acknowledgement, appreciation, and most importantly respect all form part of different methods of recognition and NO, it is not happening," she says.

In her opinion, there are still some barriers that need to be broken down.

"Women should be included as a result of a constitutional commitment, rather than be at the mercy of those who 'believe in you'. The tendency to underestimate our abilities and capabilities must stop and we should set our own standards rather than be expected to conform. You don't have to join men at the bar, you don't have to play golf, you don't have to visit the change room, but you can if you want to.

"Lastly we should get rid of the guilt. We have working fathers juggling schedules too, it is no longer only a challenge for women. Find a solution that works for you."

Ilhaam's dream is to create a Women and Girls Leadership Academy where the expertise of confident and outspoken women can be utilised and advanced through mentorship, training and development.

"The more role models women have in the sport industry, the more women will be prepared to take on the challenges. It is important that we have or develop the confidence to be steadfast about what we deserve. These role models should be heard on the radio and seen on TV; they should contribute by means of opinion pieces in publications, etc. This could lead to more women wanting to emulate the visible, confident and strong women already out there."

She has some lessons to share: "Let go of unattainable goals; make sure colleagues are aware when women are held to different standards than men, particularly when women succeed; and be very clear about what success is, why you want to achieve it and how it will impact on your broader context beyond the workplace."

Her motto is to live, laugh and love. "So let us continue to celebrate the uniqueness of being a woman," she concludes.