South Africa made history by achieving a remarkable double victory at the 2024 Netball Africa Cup, which concluded over the weekend at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund,
after kicking off on 9 December.

The Spar Proteas triumphed in the women’s final, defeating Uganda 65-50 in an exhilarating match that showcased their dominance on the court. Simultaneously, the South African men’s team claimed victory over Eswatini with a commanding 60-39 scoreline, securing the title in the men’s category. 

This double win marks a significant milestone for South African netball, demonstrating the strength and skill of both the women’s and men’s teams.

In the women’s category, Zimbabwe finished in third place, while Malawi secured fourth. Namibia took fifth place, with Zambia rounding out the top six. Kenya and Swaziland placed seventh and eighth, respectively. 

On the men’s side, Zimbabwe claimed third place, followed by Kenya in fourth, Zambia in fifth and Namibia in sixth. Lesotho finished in seventh place. This competition has not only celebrated netball, but also highlighted the resilience, passion and unity of the African continent.

The president of Netball Namibia Rebekka Goagoses expressed immense pride in the country’s successful hosting of this prestigious tournament. “Together, we have demonstrated that Namibia can deliver an event of this calibre with excellence,” she said. She extended her heartfelt appreciation to the government of Namibia, sponsors like Debmarine Namibia, and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and National Service. “Your unwavering support has been the backbone of this event, and I cannot overemphasise the importance of your contributions,” she added.

Goagoses also thanked the minister of sport, Members of Parliament, the governor of the Erongo region and local authorities for their presence and support, emphasising the power of collaboration in achieving such a successful event. “This tournament would not have been possible without the collective efforts of so many individuals. To the players, coaches, volunteers, technical officials, umpires and the local organising committee – thank you for your hard work and dedication,” she said.

While celebrating the success of the tournament, Goagoses highlighted the pressing need for continued investment in netball. “One of our most pressing challenges remains the lack of standardised netball facilities. “For this, I call on our local authorities to prioritise the construction of proper sports facilities,” she urged. She emphasised that transforming warehouses and community spaces into proper sporting venues would help nurture athletes, and prepare them for international competition. She noted that netball and other sports have the potential to be powerful tools for development, but this can only be realised with the right infrastructure in place.

The inclusion of male teams in this year’s tournament was hailed as a major milestone, demonstrating that netball is a sport for everyone, and breaking down traditional gender barriers. Goagoses pointed out that netball remains one of the most popular sports for young girls in Namibia, offering opportunities for character-building, discipline and community engagement. She stressed the importance of continuing to professionalise the sport, and ensuring that the dreams of young athletes are within reach. -lmupetami@nepc.com.na