Women Who Make Moves in Sports summit empowers female athletes for sustained success

Momentum’s third annual Women Who Make Moves in Sports Summit provided a high-impact platform that enabled women athletes to excel in competition and build lasting success beyond the field. 

The two-day event, held on August 8 and 9 in Johannesburg, brought together athletes, coaches, industry leaders, and trailblazers for workshops, networking, and inspirational talks designed to equip participants with the tools to thrive both on and off the field.

The summit featured sessions on branding, financial literacy, legal and administrative guidance, and personal development, creating opportunities for athletes to enhance their careers both on and off the field. It also aligned with Momentum’s She Owns Her Success campaign, which celebrates the skills, instincts, and resilience that help women succeed across all areas of life.

Momentum’s Success Women Want 2025 report revealed confidence as the top predictor of success, highlighting financial independence as a critical foundation for long-term achievement. Building on these insights, the summit’s masterclasses and discussions provided practical guidance for participants, helping them leverage their skills and navigate the challenges that can shape their careers.

This year’s summit also focused on the Invisible Success Code, highlighting the often-unseen traits that enable women to thrive. By exploring intuition, adaptability, and proactive problem-solving, the event aimed to empower women to translate these skills into both professional and financial success.

Reflecting on the summit’s outcomes, Qhawekazi Mdikane, Executive Head of Momentum Brand Marketing, noted that many women tend to concentrate on short-term financial needs, while what they truly seek is lasting financial independence. 

“Around 68% of women view financial independence as a key foundation for success. There is still significant work to be done in helping women fully understand what true financial independence entails, and as an advice-driven brand, we are uniquely positioned to guide them in building and safeguarding their success.”

Mdikane also reflected on the conversations during the summit: “One of my favourite discussions was with Dumisani Chauke, an athlete and sports administrator, and Karabo Tshabuse, a lawyer and sports agent. They explored the legal and administrative implications athletes need to understand, critical knowledge for their careers. I also enjoyed the money management session because financial literacy is a crucial pillar of success.”

She also highlighted the significance of this year’s campaign theme, “I Have the Algorithm,” showing how women’s innate problem-solving, adaptability, and intuition, traits often seen as reliability, are crucial to success and can be harnessed in their financial lives.

The summit also introduced The Momentum Boost Her Boots Fund, designed to help female athletes achieve sustainable success beyond sports. Mdikane noted that only a small percentage of female athletes in Africa earn salaries, while globally, half of elite women athletes earn nothing from their sport. The fund invites athletes who have competed provincially, nationally, or internationally to submit a two-minute video pitching a business or business idea to boostherboots@momentum.co.za. Ten finalists will receive coaching and mentorship, and three winners will be selected, providing them with the tools and support to secure their financial futures.

Momentum ensures the summit’s impact extends beyond the event through its Brand Resource Centre, which hosts recordings of masterclasses and practical tips, as well as ongoing research and insights into women’s needs. Mdikane emphasised the personal impact, saying, “Before heading up Momentum Brand, I was CMO for Momentum Corporate, and even then, the conversations prompted me to self-reflect and make positive changes in my career. That’s what we aim to do, guide women to put themselves on the right success trajectory.”

The summit concluded successfully, leaving participants inspired, informed, and equipped with actionable strategies to thrive in sport, business, and life.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za