Beka Ntsanwisi
Rebecca Ntsanwisi, affectionately known as “Mama Beka,” founded the Soccer Grannies team. She’s a motivational speaker and a former radio announcer. She has received countless awards for her community activism.
National Order of the Baobab Recipient
Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa
Ms. Beka Ntsanwisi – Radio presenter, South Africa – Speaker, IWC 2014
Source: International Women’s Conference
Source: Ashoka Fellow
For more information, please visit the Mama Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation website.
The South African Soccer Grannies
The Vakhegula Vakhegula Football Club, also known as the Soccer Grannies, are a team of 40- to 80-year-old women who play soccer in the town of Nkowankowa in Limpopo, South Africa.
An award winning documentary
Alive and Kicking: The Soccer Grannies of South Africa
Source: Lara Ann DeWet and Lazuil Films
S Africa’s football ‘grannies’ look to World Cup
Source: BBC News
Meet Vakhegula, Vakhegula, South Africa’s soccer grannies
Source: TimesLIVE Video
Jerusalema Challenge – Vakhegula Vakhegula & Vakhalabye Vakhalabye
Source: Samsrec TV
The Soccer Grannies 2010 Trip to America
In July 2010, the same year that South Africa hosted the World Cup, the Soccer Grannies traveled to the U.S. and participated in the Veterans Cup Tournament (now called Soccer Fest) in Lancaster, Massachusetts.
For the Love of Soccer and a Lasting Sisterhood
Source: New York Times
They kick like grannies, proudly
Source: Los Angeles Times
Kicking up their heels: Soccer Grannies find their way from South Africa for tournament, fun
Source: Boston Globe
Photos: Tessa Frootko Gordon
The Grannies International Football Tournament 2023
In March 2023 the Mama Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation and the Vakhegula Vakhegula Football Club hosted the Grannies International Football Tournament in Nkowankowa, South Africa. Sixteen teams from France, Mozambique, South Africa, USA, Zambia, and Zimbabwe participated in this first ever tournament celebrating women’s soccer with a focus on fitness and health as we age.
Massachusetts Team Joins “Soccer Grannies International Tournament
Source: WCVB Channel5
International Grannies Football Tournament kicks off in Limpopo
Source: SABC TV
South African grannies kick stereotypes out of soccer
Source: Reuters
Photos: Kate Duffy, Jean Duffy, Deb Keohan, Ching Lai, Beatrice Tshabalala, Sue Wing
Soccer Grannies GoFundMe
Help us support Mama Beka’s initiatives and the many deserving granny athletes she serves. Proceeds from this effort directly benefit the older women Beka works for, providing improved fitness, nutrition and health education, physical and mental health support, and personal hygiene and self-care.
Thank you! Thank you!
