Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies named 2025 gsport Newsmaker of the Year

The announcement was made on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, at SABC Radio Park in Auckland Park – the home of some of the country’s leading women’s sport coverage. 

The reigning Hollywoodbets Super League champions topped an impressive roster of ten standout individuals and teams recognised as #GAL2025 recipients, celebrating those who have driven the women’s sport agenda forward over the past year. 

The award caps off a phenomenal season for Sundowns Ladies, who secured an extraordinary sixth straight Hollywoodbets Super League crown. 

Their sustained excellence on the pitch has been matched by an innovative communication strategy, with the club leveraging daily digital content to boost reach, strengthen fan engagement, and extend their influence across the continent. 

“These recipients shaped the sporting narrative in 2025,” said gsport Founder Kass Naidoo. 

“Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC exemplify how on-field excellence combined with strong media presence can elevate women’s sport to new heights.” 

READ: Menzi Ngcobo: Sundowns dominance calls for teams to step up

The gsport Annual List has become a benchmark editorial honour in South African women’s sport, spotlighting teams, athletes, and leaders whose impact transcends competition. 

Reflecting on the recognition, Sundowns midfielder Isabella Ludwig said: “I’m very happy, I think it’s great that there’s so much promotion going into women in sport and all the accolades that each individual has achieved, and obviously a team like Mamelodi Sundowns.” 

Club captain Lebohang Ramalepe shared similar sentiments, adding: “We are really happy as a club. 

"I think being recognised by gsport shows that as a ladies team we are doing great for women’s football and even on Sunday by winning the Hollywoodbets Super League title for the 6th time, we are really happy.” 

Since its inception in 2019, the gsport Annual List has highlighted 60 Newsmakers, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to growing visibility for women’s sport through its newsroom and digital platforms.

The 2025 gsport Newsmakers include: 

Glenrose Xaba – Became the first Black woman to secure three Spar Grand Prix series titles, achieved an undefeated 2024/25 season, won the SA 10km Cross Country title, and completed a top-10 international marathon debut in Valencia. 

Kgothatso Montjane – Secured the French Open Doubles title alongside Yui Kamiji and reached the semi-finals in both the French Open and Wimbledon singles tournaments, demonstrating sustained, world-class excellence in wheelchair tennis. 

Laura Wolvaardt – Delivered leading performances as captain and opening bat of the South Africa Women’s Cricket Team at the ICC ODI World Cup Final, earning selection as captain of the ICC ODI World Cup Team of the Tournament. 

Layla Arrison – Became the first South African English-language woman to commentate at a Rugby World Cup, dramatically elevating visibility and representation for women in sports broadcasting. 

Proteas Women’s Cricket Team – Became the first senior South African cricket team to contest an ICC ODI World Cup Final, runners-up to India in Navi Mumbai, generating national pride and global attention. 

Prudence Sekgodiso – Won gold in the 800m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing 2025, broke and improved her South African record to a world-leading 1:58.40, and secured silver at the Eugenie Prefontaine Classic. 

Simoné Kruger – Defended her F38 Discus world title at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, maintaining her standing as a dominant, world-record-holding force in adaptive sports. 

Springbok Women 15s Team – Historic RWC 2025 campaign, securing their first World Cup win since 2010 and qualifying for their first-ever World Cup quarter-final. 

Thembi Kgatlana – Scored the match-winning injury-time goal against DR Congo, securing Banyana Banyana’s qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and contributed to Tigres UANL’s 2025 Liga MX Femenil championship.