Banyana Ba Style Documentary: A Tale of Trials & Triumphs
This November, Mzansi’s leading ladies of soccer, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ were once again lauded for the continuous winning streak via a documentary film that premiered on Supersport.
Titled Banyana Ba Style: The First Queens of African Football, the doccie follows the journey of the team – detailing their trials and triumphs on their way to securing the prestigious 2021/22 CAF Women’s Champions’ title.
Banyana won 2-1 win over host country Morocco., in July – shining the much need spotlight on women’s football.
The documentary film is produced by Cape Town-based agency, Fel & Co., and tells this incredible tale through the eyes of current players Andile Dlamini, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Thalea Smidt, and Coach Jerry Tshabalala. Additionally, it shows the intimate reality of what it takes to be successful in South African women’s football, while also highlighting the pressures, pains, successes, hopes, and failures.
Banyana Ba Style tells the multi-generational story of women’s football in South Africa through the voices of Mamelodi Sundowns FC and various sports personalities.
With a two-year unbeaten track record in South Africa’s domestic league, Banyana Ba Style went into the tournament with confidence and as likely favourites to win the title. However, this is short-lived as their performance uncovers the contentions that have been felt for decades in women’s football on the African continent.
The heartfelt film also features legendary Banyana Banyana football player Portia Modise, who has been very vocal about the lack of compensation in women’s football compared to their male counterparts. As we follow the ladies’ journeys, we are afforded the opportunity to get unique insights from sports journalists and other personalities in the football fraternity.
At its core, “Banyana Ba Style: The First Queens of African Club Football” is an inspirational narrative that revolves around the complexities of gender equality within a modern football club. The film can be streamed on DSTV Catch-up, courtesy of Supersport.
Mamelodi Sundowns Chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe, who played a pivotal role in the awe-inspiring production, speaks about the football club’s reasoning behind the documentary.
“We are incredibly proud to share this film with our supporters and fans of women’s football. We embarked on this journey for two reasons: The first was to promote women’s football in South Africa and tell a story of sporting success that would inspire future generations of female footballers
“The second reason was to use the power of storytelling to touch on the challenges female soccer players face and pay homage to the legends who have passionately played a role in developing the women’s game,” he said.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are now looking to continue the winning streak by bagging another title in their next soccer season, after losing it to AS FAR during this campaign’s finals in Morocco.