Banyana Banyana and Mamelodi Sundowns Women’s goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini, was announced as Laureus Sport For Good Foundation SA’s newest ambassador.

Through this appointment, the soccer star joins an expanding group of South African sporting icons who assist the Foundation and the programmes it funds and supports to uplift and empower the youth in underserved communities through sport.

Dlamini expressed her excitement to join a group of sporting heroes and leaders who utilise their skills and talents to uplift communities through the power of sport, saying “it is an honour to be a part of an organisation that has the same core values as I do, by giving back to and creating opportunities for the less privileged.”

Morné du Plessis, Chairperson of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa, highlighted the vital role that athletes like Dlamini play in the Laureus Foundation’s mission: “Just like Nelson Mandela believed that ‘sport has the power to change the world’, we believe in the power of aligning with top athletes who share our passion for community upliftment through sport.

“Each athlete in the Laureus family has a story to tell, and we believe that Andile’s steadfastness, tenacity in the face of adversity, determination and unwavering faith will resonate with the young lives she is going to touch on her Laureus journey.

“As a Foundation we don’t believe in hand-outs, and are instead passionate about putting the power into the hands of the sport-centric organisations who work so hard to bring sustainable change in the communities that need it most. We are therefore humbled that Andile shares our vision to make a tangible difference in the lives of the beneficiaries of the many programmes we support.”

The announcement was made at the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge at The Wanderers Club, where SA personalities and Laureus Ambassadors including sprinting sensation Akani Simbine, Springbok legends Morne du Plessis and Bryan Habana, netball icon Dumisani Chauke, media personality Elana Afrika, and mountaineering duo Saray Khumalo and Deshun Deysel, were in attendance to help welcome Dlamini to the Laureus family.

Each year, thousands of employees from over 350 companies put their fitness to the test in what has become the country’s largest after-work corporate 5.6km running race. This year’s J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge attracted a capacity field of approximately 15,000 runners.

This is the 11th year that Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is the official beneficiary of the event.