In the world of sports, where the roar of the crowd often drowns out the stories behind the scenes, there exists a remarkable woman whose journey embodies resilience, passion, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Meet Zanele Mathe, a trailblazer in sports production and the Production Manager at Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club.

Zanele’s story is one of triumph over adversity, where the seeds of her success were sown in humble beginnings. Raised by a domestic worker and facing financial constraints that hindered her pursuit of further education, Zanele’s determination never wavered. Through sheer perseverance and the support of mentors along the way, she carved a path for herself in the world of sports management.

“I come from a background where my mom was a domestic worker. When I matriculated, she couldn’t afford to take me to school. So I basically just hustled and knocked on doors,” Zanele recalls. Her tenacity led her to opportunities, including an internship at Supersport, where she delved into the intricacies of sports production, learning from the ground up. She now holds a Sports Management Diploma and is currently persuing a post grad Diploma in Project Management.

Despite entering a male-dominated field, Zanele’s approach has always been to let her work speak for itself. “If you’re a hard worker and you show people your professionalism and what you can do, it’s very rare that you would receive any challenges,” she reflects. Through dedication and a commitment to excellence, Zanele earned the respect of her peers and rose through the ranks.

Her journey has been punctuated by moments of immense pride, from managing Rugby World Cups to experiencing the inner workings of ESPN. Each milestone reaffirmed her passion for content creation and storytelling within the realm of sports. “I’ve always felt that we needed to talk about our own heroes,” Zanele emphasizes, highlighting her mission to celebrate the journeys of athletes and inspire future generations.

“Sure, there’s actually quite a lot of amazing women that I look up to that I’ve learned from. But I think one lady that really stands out for everybody in this point in time, I think, would be Jessica Motaung,” Zanele shares. “She’s been in the industry for the longest of time in a very male-dominated industry. And she just keeps pushing and breaking boundaries. And she’s just a beast.”

Yet, like many, Zanele faced the harsh realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, enduring retrenchment and uncertainty. “We all lost everything…had to start from scratch,” she shares. But from adversity emerged resilience, as Zanele embraced the challenges as opportunities for growth. Her journey serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of perseverance.

“I think my role plays quite a big role in terms of the brand and building the brand in terms of storytelling, but also just bringing supporters closer to the club,” Zanele reflects on her role at Mamelodi Sundowns. “And that’s what we’re trying to do in terms of the content that we produce so that the supporters can feel closer to the players, see the other side of them off the pitch, but also just educate them.”

Looking ahead, Zanele envisions a future defined by innovation and inclusivity in sports production. With advancements in technology and evolving audience preferences, she sees a landscape ripe for creativity and experimentation. “AI is coming for all of our lunch,” she remarks, highlighting the importance of staying ahead of the curve.

As she balances the demands of her role with the rhythms of life, Zanele remains steadfast in her commitment to excellence. Whether envisioning long-form documentaries or navigating the complexities of live broadcasts, her passion for her craft shines through. And her advice to aspiring women in sports production echoes her own journey: be patient, work hard, and surround yourself with mentors who inspire growth.

In Zanele Mathe’s journey, we find a beacon of hope and inspiration for women everywhere. Her story reminds us that with perseverance and passion, even the loftiest dreams can be within reach. As she continues to break barriers and shape the future of sports production, Zanele Mathe’s legacy will be cherished for generations to come.