Mami Diale took over as president of Netball South Africa a year ago, succeeding Cecilia Molokwane who was indefinitely suspended by global governing body World Netball. Diale, who was Molokwane's vice-president, faced a daunting task in restoring the organisation's dignity. She has focused on forging a unified community for the sport, promoting inclusion and unity among members. Diale's leadership has been crucial in navigating the challenges posed by Molokwane's suspension and ensuring a smooth transition.
Molokwane's suspension was a result of reports by Netball South Africa members, alleging financial mismanagement and the systematic purging of internal rivals. Although the specific charges have not been publicly disclosed, Diale has acknowledged the difficulties she faced in taking over. She has worked to rebuild relationships with World Netball, ensuring compliance with the constitutional mandate set by the global governing body. This has enabled Netball South Africa to avoid a blanket ban and ensure that players are not negatively affected.
Under Diale's leadership, Netball South Africa has prioritised the needs of its athletes. She emphasises that players are at the centre of the sport and that administrators must stand behind them. This approach has helped to shift the focus back to the athletes and their performance. Diale's vision for Netball South Africa is one of unity, inclusion, and a commitment to supporting players.
The 2027 Netball World Cup, to be held in Sydney, Australia, is a major target for Netball South Africa. The Proteas, South Africa's national team, last placed on the podium three decades ago, securing silver behind eventual winners Australia. Diale aims for the team to be counted among the top four in the world. With a new generation of players emerging, the team is building towards a strong showing in the World Cup.
The Proteas have undergone significant changes, bidding farewell to veteran key players such as Bongi Msomi, Phumza Maweni, and Karla Pretorius. Coach Jenny van Dyk has been working to identify new talent and build squad depth ahead of the World Cup. The team recently competed in the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, where they tested new combinations and handed international exposure to younger players.
Although the Proteas were edged 56-53 by Uganda in the Africa Netball Cup final, Diale views the tournament as a success in terms of building team depth and testing new players. The men's team, the Proteas Warriors, retained their trophy, and Diale is committed to promoting the men's team and giving them equal opportunities to the women's team.
As the 2027 World Cup approaches, the Proteas will assess their progress in a match against England away from home in February 2027. Diale is confident that Netball South Africa will offer whatever support the team needs to excel and improve on their previous World Cup showing. With a renewed focus on unity, inclusion, and athlete-centred administration, Netball South Africa is poised to make a strong impact on the world stage.
Key points
- Netball South Africa is aiming for a top-four finish at the 2027 World Cup.
- Mami Diale has prioritised unity and inclusion in her leadership of Netball South Africa.
- The organisation has focused on supporting athletes and rebuilding relationships with World Netball.
