Sports minister wants the Kodwa stamp on SA's 'year for women' as World Cups overflow

In a year of plenty for South African women's sports and their involvement in cricket, netball and soccer World Cups, newly-appointed Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, says the government is prioritising women's sport and its future development in 2023.

Kodwa was present as the City of Cape Town and Netball South Africa commenced its 100-days countdown to the Netball World Cup in July.

The Netball World Cup will be taking place from 28 July to 8 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Kodwa, who previously served as deputy minister of state security, was appointed as the new sports minister in March and succeeded Nathi Mthethwa.

In his new capacity, Kodwa is eager to drive, among other codes, women's cricket as 2023 has been dubbed 'the year for women in sport'.

"Our support to all the federations was very clear. It goes towards women's development, whether it's cricket or whether it's any other federation that we support," Kodwa told reporters in Cape Town on Wednesday.

"We are very specific about it because women's sport is not getting supported by commercial partners as men do." 

In February, South Africa hosted a successful Women's T20 World Cup, with the Proteas women reaching their first ICC World Cup final.

African champions Banyana Banyana will also compete in the FIFA Women's World Cup from 20 July to 20 August in Australasia.

The national netball team will look to go one better than silver after finishing runners-up to Australia in England in 1995.

READ | Netball SA aims to bring 'vibe' as Cape Town readies for World Cup 

Meanwhile, it's all systems go for Africa's first Netball World Cup and Zodwa says this is exactly what the country needs.

"The country is faced with so many