Bongiwe Msomi reflects on memorable Team SA chef de mission role

Msomi travelled with the team to Scotland and helped lead a group of 114 athletes and support staff throughout the competition.

Team South Africa returned home with an impressive 28 medals, and Msomi says the support from the athletes and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) made the demanding role much easier. 

"This role is something I'm so glad to have said yes to, I really wasn't expecting it and the credit goes to SASCOC for backing me and for organising everything. The athletes were also fantastic throughout."

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The South African netball legend, who represented the country at several World Cups and Commonwealth Games, says the role taught her valuable lessons that will help her as she continues to grow beyond her playing career. 

Msomi retired from international netball in 2023 and has since moved into leadership and development roles within the sport.

"Every morning there were meetings, and within those meetings people lead certain portfolios so that everything is ironed out before the athletes start the day."

Msomi says the Games were not without challenges, but those experiences also gave her important insight into what it takes to manage a large multi-sport team. 

She says working closely with athletes from different sporting codes broadened her understanding of high-performance sport. 

The KwaZulu-Natal-born former captain believes serving as chef de mission has opened the door to even bigger opportunities in sport administration and leadership. Msomi hopes her appointment will inspire more former athletes, especially women in sport, to take up influential leadership positions and continue contributing to South African sport long after their playing careers have ended.

"It was great to see that you can retire and that there can still be hope for you in sport, and so that people can still see your value. I know athletes are somewhat scared of retiring because they don't know what's next, but if you plan properly and invest in yourself you can still receive opportunities."