One of three South Africans at the Houston Dash club in the US, the diminutive but talented Linda Motlhalo is a superstar in the making, proving it is possible to make a living solely from football.
The soft-spoken Motlhalo does not look the part; her small, wiry frame giving no indication of the fire that lies within as she looks to make a name for herself at Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States (US), considered the best women’s competition in the world.
The 19-year-old is one of three Banyana Banyana players at the club along with national team captain Janine van Wyk and Thembi Kgatlana, the only South African women playing the game professionally and making their living solely from football.
Van Wyk is a hard-as-nails defender and Kgatlana a pacey forward, both very good at their craft, but it’s the silky skills of Motlhalo that has teammates and coaches glowing in their praise.
“Linda has an eye for always going forward and making the penetrative passes, and when she reaches her peak at 25 or 26 years old, she is probably going to be one of the best players in the world,” Van Wyk told FORBES WOMAN AFRICA in Houston.
“If she carries on the way she is, if she continues to play in a professional set-up like this, she has a really bright future.”
Motlhalo’s coach in Houston, the Dutch mentor, Vera Pauw, who was previously in charge of Banyana Banyana when they went to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016 and is one of the most respected figures in global women’s football, agrees Motlhalo is a superstar in the making.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June/August 2018 من Forbes Woman Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June/August 2018 من Forbes Woman Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Well-Grounded
Coco Cachalia, whose mother Amina was among the 20,000 in the Women’s March of August 1956, made a decision to stay away from politics – and succeed in business instead.
Art Becomes Her
A celebrated international fine artist, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi overcame the struggles of apartheid, and her work is grounded in her past.
'Not Just Pro-Women But Pro-Progress'
South Africa’s Minister of Women Susan Shabangu on the significance of the 61st anniversary of Women’s Day, and the role men can play in ending gender violence in South Africa and creating an equal society.
Diversity And Inclusion Are Part Of Baker Mckenzie's DNA
According to Law360’s 2017 Glass Ceiling Report, women make up around one-third of the attorneys in private legal practice. Among the law firms surveyed, just below 23% of partners are female.
We, Men For Women
South Africa still has a long way to go for gender justice in business and in life, but with more men openly stepping forward to be a part of the discourse, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA speaks to two male entrepreneurs, a CEO and a social activist. They acknowledge diversity makes smart social and economic sense that will benefit all.
What, After All, Does Feminism Have To Do With Men?
According to the seminal African-American writer bell hooks (her name is not capitalized), feminism is for everybody.
Blood, Setbacks And Tears
Two sisters with common failures and a dream to eventually succeed.
Fighting To The End
In May, 82 more Chibok girls were released in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners. Oby Ezekwesili, a strong advocate in the campaign to bring them back, has vowed to never stop fighting.
Not Just Hard Work, But Heart Work
As incidents of gender-based violence increase in Africa, those like Nigeria’s Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, are trying to bring relief to stigmatized victims.
Going Down The Spice Route
Essie Bartels worked several odd jobs she hated before opening a company selling mouth-watering spices and sentiments to the world.
