Namhla Mphelo, Already Africa’s Media Heroine at 28

South African sports communicator and administrator, Namhla Sikhokhele Mphelo, has achieved a whole lot while only 28 years old in the football World. 

The belle has been part of at least 12 high-profile sporting events dominantly football. 

Recently, Ms Namhla commemorated her tenth anniversary as Media Officer and Media Operations Officer in her birth country South Africa.   

Empirical evidence implies the journalist has exceptionally performed in football communication, widely considered one of the most difficult beats in the art of journalism, particularly to the feminine gender. 

Miss Namhla’s objective has always been to actively participate in the growth and development of her darling nation, and the World at large. She has served as Media Officer for the South African FA since January 2014. The holder of a National Diploma in Sports Management is a certified Physiotherapist to say the least.

The Johannesburg based star joined football in 2007 while a Sport Management Student at Durban University of Technology. Circumstances later pushed her to intern at elite club AmaZulu F.C, where she learnt media relations and the concept of football under Mr Philani Mabaso.

Her first official international tournament was the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa won by Spain. She was the youngest member of the Local Organizing Committee at the age of 21.

The Assistant Venue Media Officer for Durban-based Moses Mabhida Stadium has since worked as media officer of the Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana at 2010 CAF AWCON, 2011 IOC Session, 2011 CAF U20 AFCON, 2013 U-20 COSAFA Cup, 2013 CAF AFCON, 2014 CAF AWCON, 2015 CAF U-17 AFCON, 2015 FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP, 2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES, 2016 CAF AWCON; 2017 U-20 CAF AFCON, 2017 FIFA U20 WORLD CUP among others.

The only international football tournament she has been opportune to cover is the FIFA Club World Cup. 

The 28-year-old says being part of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in Africa is the greatest achievement of her life. 

Her driving force has been self-belief, focus, mastery of work and other traits which enable her deal with male egos, chauvinists and other challenges she encounters in the execution of her duties. 

Ms Namhla wants to work for CAF and FIFA, representing herself and her country in huge international tournaments as a media officer, as well as becoming a member of a few committees in SAFA, COSAFA, CAF and FIFA. 

She has advised ladies to believe in themselves because “impossible is nothing”. Prior to joining the football family, the heroine served as a casual sales agent for Edgars (Cresta) from in December 2006. She did the like for Senyolo & Co. (Quantity Surveyors) and as Quantity Surveyors' Assistant in November 2005.