​Thembisa Shologu
The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) handed over a R 1 million cheque to Banyana Banyana following their victory at the Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. 
The GPG will also provide R550 000 financial support to teams in the province participating in the Hollywoodbets Super League. 
Gauteng has four teams in the women's league namely Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), University of Johannesburg (UJ), and JVW FC.
The funding is aimed at helping the teams to continue their work in the development of female sports.
Speaking at the cheque handover in Kagiso on Friday, 19 August 2022, Premier David Makhura hailed the team for lifting the South African flag high.
Makhura also reflected on the recent sexual assault of eight women in this area a few weeks ago saying the province must dip its heads in shame.
"Last month a very tragic event took place in this community. Eight young women were sexually assaulted but we know that just that number represents the experience of many women across the land and breadth of our beautiful country. The first act of empowerment of women and creating a more equal society is to educate the girl children." 
He announced that the provincial government is putting in place resources and infrastructure in the townships, where youth can burn their energies.
"Our first act of empowerment is to invest hugely in the education of the girl child. We are reintroducing the Wednesday League as part of investing in the grass root sports in schools."
Coach Desiree Ellis thanked the provincial government for its contribution and support.
"From the word go they said they wanted to win it, and they were true to the word. We felt your prayers, we felt your messages, we felt all of that. Even though we had 45 000 to 50 000 fans in the stadium, we knew back home we had almost 60 million, so we want to say thank you very much." 
Gauteng Sports Federation, Vivian Lottering said there was a need to promote gender equality in sports. She said there was a need to break stereotypes that make women less likely to take up sports activities. 
"Leaders in sport need to make it possible for women to excel. We need to encourage women in sport, make opportunities available for them to excel not only as athletes, but as coaches, technical staff and also as wardens in our organizations," added Lottering. 
The event also saw the launch of the Gauteng Netball Friday initiative in support of the 2023 Netball World Cup which will take place in Cape Town.