Why SASCOC chose Bongiwe Msomi as Chef de Mission for Commonwealth Games

The Games will be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August. 

Msomi, who captained the Proteas at the previous Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, has now been entrusted with one of the most important leadership roles within Team SA.

Fleisher believes the appointment is a major opportunity for the retired netball star, who has since moved into coaching in the Telkom Netball League. 

He says the experience will help prepare her for a future role in sports administration in South Africa.

"This is huge for her, you know, and Bongi is just one of our national assets. We started this initiative with the athletes at the African Youth Games in December last year in Angola. We had Sizwe Ndlovu, a gold medalist from the Olympics, as our deputy Chef. It was extremely successful there; the kids just loved him, and someone who can pass on that experience," said Fleisher

READ: Samaai stresses the importance of the Commonwealth Games for athlete development

"We have Alex Heath for the Winter Olympics as the Chef de Mission, an ex-winter Olympian, and now Bongi is coming in as an icon. The reason we looked at netball is that it is a Commonwealth sport. Bongi has been to multiple Commonwealth Games; she was a flag bearer at the last Commonwealth Games and is now making great strides at UJ."

"She is really just someone who is an icon, and all the athletes in the team can look up to and aspire to be in the future. She will be a role model , motivator , and cheerleader. We are very happy to have Bongi Msomi as Chef de Mission, and this is really going to put her on a path. She will be a great administrator going forward for South Africa."

Fleisher, one of SASCOC’s longest-serving officials, also explained the meaning of the title “Chef de Mission” in simple terms.

He said while the title may sound complicated, it essentially refers to the overall leader of the national team, responsible for ensuring that athletes and officials have everything they need during the Games.

Fleisher, who served as South Africa’s Chef de Mission at the African Youth Games in Angola last year, says experienced officials within the delegation will work closely with Msomi and support her throughout the event.

He added that their role will be to help her settle into the position and ensure she carries out her responsibilities effectively.

Fleisher also revealed that Msomi and a group of senior officials will travel to Glasgow ahead of the team’s arrival.

The advance delegation will be responsible for making sure accommodation, transport, training venues and other logistics are in place before Team South Africa reaches the Games Village.