Wednesday, 22 June: Sasol, in partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA), and Wheelchair Basketball South Africa (WBSA), launched the “Live the Impossible” initiative to continue to drive interest and ongoing support for women’s football and wheelchair basketball in South Africa. The campaign celebrates the milestones reached to date, including the long-standing partnerships between Sasol and these two sporting bodies.
The “Live the Impossible” campaign aims to encourage athletes, and their supporters, including the general public, to emphasise the notion that anything is possible when the right effort is put in, despite obstacles or challenges they meet along the way. As part of this initiative, Sasol has created a series of activities to educate and empower the athletes and technical teams to help them continue to push boundaries as they live their passion for their respective sports. These activities will also showcase and spotlight athletes who are part of South Africa’s pride.
Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship, expressed her excitement about this initiative. “Sasol has had long-standing associations with the Banyana Banyana, AmaWheelaBoys and Girls, and the Sasol League. We are proud to be the leading organisation supporting women in sports and differently-abled athletes in South Africa.
“I am very excited about the positive energy that oozes through the Live the Impossible campaign. It resonates with what Sasol believes in as characterised by two of our values: we care for our people and support their development, and we value and promote diversity and inclusion. We, as Sasol, want to ensure that we continue to create opportunities for these talented athletes to realise their dreams, while pursuing their passion.
“The campaign will run for the next three years and is launched at an opportune time, when Banyana Banyana are faced with what was impossible (conquering Africa) to what is possible in the horizon, which includes being part of the 2023 FIFA Women’s Football World Cup. The first initiative therefore is to continue garnering support for the Banyana Banyana team currently in Morocco, representing the country at the Africa Women Cup of Nations, taking place from 2 – 23 July. The AmaWheelaBoys and AmaWheelaGirls will also be representing South Africa at the Commonwealth Games later in July.
“Wheelchair Basketball South Africa is extremely grateful for the partnership with Sasol, as without their support our National Athletes would not have been able to take part on the global stage. The support given by Sasol has meant they have made the impossible, possible for our athletes. This has benefitted many athletes with disabilities who otherwise would not have been able to experience the thrill of playing against the world’s best, in various cities around the world. For us this partnership is “more than a game, but a way of life,” says Gerry Smith, Member of the Board of Directors at WBSA.
SAFA COO, Lydia Monyepao added that their relationship with Sasol goes as far back as 2009 noting that Sasol has been a massive supporter of women’s football in the country, from the formative stages up to senior women’s national team level.
“Look at the Pride of the Nation (Banyana Banyana) and the number of players that have been produced by this relationship between SAFA and Sasol. SAFA is extremely proud of this partnership that continues to grow from strength to strength with each passing year. This relationship has made many dreams come true for women who are passionate about the game, making them live what some used to see as impossible for women in football”, Monyepao added.
“This is the time when our athletes need the country to come together to support and rally behind them, and as Sasol we are ready and I am imploring everyone to join the Live the Impossible movement,” Mbatha concluded
Fans and supporters who would like to see Banyana Banyana take on the best of Africa have an opportunity to Live the Impossible by winning a trip to Morocco. Competition entrants need to simply swipe their Sasol Rewards Card at any of the Sasol participating retail outlets to stand the chance to win the prize, which includes:
- Flights and Accommodation
- Match day tickets for the last group game and Quarterfinals
- VIP Experiences
The competition will open on Wednesday, 22 June and closes on Thursday, 30 June 2022. Terms and Conditions apply. Visit www.sasol.com for more information.