Being a female leader in sports

Could you tell me more about your early career and the journey that led you to where you are today? 

From a young age, I wanted to work in sports, but I initially studied accounting because there were no bursaries or scholarships available for the courses I was truly interested in. My parents couldn’t afford to send me to university for those programmes, so Accounting was the available option. 

I never planned to pursue sport professionally because, in South Africa, athletes generally don’t get paid to play. For girls, education was always the priority, while sport remained a hobby – something to balance with studies in high school, university, and while working.  

Even now, there is still no professional women’s football league in South Africa. That’s why we encourage women to pursue education, gain skills, and prepare for careers beyond sport, whether in the workplace or through entrepreneurship. Professional leagues take time to develop and require funding, which remains a challenge. 

Things have changed since my time as a football player. The financial support for national team players has improved drastically, and the number of training camps has increased. However, at the club level, the situation remains inconsistent – some players receive salaries, while others do not. 

Have you encountered any obstacles, being a woman in this industry? 

A lot! I think people still have to grasp the fact that a woman can lead a sport like football. There's a lot of pushback, especially from the men who have been in the game for a very long time. Some of them are older than you, so they feel you can't tell them what to do. 

I’ve noticed that as a woman in leadership, I’m second-guessed far more than my predecessor, who was a man. When he made decisions, they were accepted without question. But when I continued his work, suddenly everything was scrutinised. You see these things happening, but you can’t always call them out. Instead, you vent in private, then come back and keep pushing forward. 

How did you find the confidence in yourself to keep pushing? 

I remind myself of my journey. I know how hard I’ve worked to get here – no one did me any favours. Yes, having sponsors and advocates helps, but ultimately, to become a CEO of a federation, you have to be qualified and experienced. That’s what I bring to the table. 

I’ve managed a national team and have been involved in sport for many years. My qualifications speak for themselves. I know I’m supported by a wealth of experience and education that no one can take away from me. 

You have to believe in yourself. Self-confidence is everything, and it’s something I teach my children: they need to be confident in themselves too. 

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to pursue a similar career to yours? 

I think it’s all about self-belief. There are a lot of changes in the world these days, so one has to constantly upgrade themselves, whether educationally or through reading, to stay updated with what’s happening in the world, or within their own industry or space. 

It’s also really important to start networking early. If possible, finding a mentor – someone who’s in a similar environment or industry where you want to branch into – is invaluable. Mentors or coaches are the ones who hold your hand, show you where the opportunities are, help you find the right courses, and guide you on what you can do to empower yourself. 

Did you have any inspirational female figures when you were younger? 

My late mother was my first inspiration. She had limited education, but she managed to start a business despite her limitations. She was a domestic worker before, but after her retirement, she started her own business and did quite well, even though she faced challenges. 

We were lucky enough to be born in a time when the country was changing. We used to have an apartheid system where black people didn’t have the same opportunities as we have today. But as the system opened up, they really encouraged us to educate ourselves, go out there, and be better people – better than them – and achieve things they never had the chance to get. 

In high school, I was exposed to many teachers from different countries. I had the privilege of attending an International School, which allowed me to meet many teachers from around the world. One of them was Verna Burnard, now known as Verna West. She competed in the 1976 Olympics in the 400 meters. Since I was really into athletics, especially the 400 meters, I really looked up to her. 

She used to look out for me, encouraging me to keep going and be a better person. I'd say she was also one of my role models while I was growing up. 

Nowadays, there are so many positive role models to look up to, not just in South Africa but across the globe as well. I think the world has truly opened up to us, allowing us to engage with people we might never meet face-to-face, but we can still be inspired by their journeys, their stories, and by reading their books, among other things. 

Lydia Monyepao-Yele teaches financial management on the International Sports Management programme. You can read more about her career journey here.