Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced and introduced 2023 Netball World Cup Board.  Mthethwa said Netball South Africa, around June 2018, in their desire to grow the sport, in the country, as well as acknowledge the quality of their players, decided to bid to host the 2023 Netball World Cup. In bidding for the Netball World Cup, Mthethwa said that they firmly believed that hosting the Netball World Cup will create an environment for peak performances from the games’ finest players and provide them with a uniquely African and particularly South African experience. 

 “Our track record of hosting premier global sporting events is unparallel. We want to host the most inspirational tournament in Netball World Cup history.”

" Globally, sport has gained the attention of countries as a key contributor to several priorities of Government. World leaders increasingly acknowledge that sport touches every aspect of a nation’s ethos. Sport is a significant part of any nation’s culture, leisure time, health and education. 

Participation by our national teams in major sporting events such as these takes us closer to our strategic objective of nation building and Social cohesion, it further enhances our standing in the world and that of the continent of Africa. 

It is true that today’s announcement is long overdue, but I am pleased that this day has finally arrived. For the record, the Cape Town International Convention Centre will play host to the NWC2023, on behalf of the country from 17 July to 8 August 2023. "  Said Mthethwa

In terms of the International Netball Federation Heads of Terms document, Netball SA is charged with establishing a 6-person Local Organising Committee (OC), separate from itself, which comprises suitably skilled individuals, to be approved by itself and to consist of the following nominees: - 

1. Chairperson - Ms Patience Shikwambana: SASCOC Chief Operations Officer. 

2. Board Members 

-      Cllr Jean-Pierre (JP) Smith: Member of the Mayoral committee - City of Cape Town. 

-      Dr Lyndon Bouah: Chief Director - Sport and Recreation; Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. 

-      Ms Cecilia Molokwane: President - Netball Africa and Member of INF. 

-      Ms Blanche de le Guerre: CEO - Netball SA. 

-      Ms Sumayya Khan: DDG: Recreation Development and Sport Promotion, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. 

The responsibilities of this Board include: - 

·            Strategic overall guidance and compliance. 

·            Approval of all contractual obligations. 

·            Finalization of an Organisational structure for the OC. 

·            Financial oversight to ensure continued solvency of the OC. 

·            Approval of all requisite policies. 

·            Overall project coordination and reporting. 
 

Mthethwa thanked and appreciated the Netball South Africa which has had the task of ensuring that the board is constituted as required and ensuring that they lead on delivering on the milestones while the board was being constituted, the commitment of thier partners in provincial and local government, all the MECs of Sport in the country for their support, other Government Departments who have provided support and who will continue to support them in the areas of their jurisdiction to ensure that collectively they deliver a Netball World Cup par excellence. 

He also congratulated the members of the new board on their historic appointment and wish them well with this assignment. Indeed, they will be expected to hit the ground running, as they proceed to make the country proud. 

" We strongly believe that it is time South Africa also provides the stage for our own Netball players to showcase their talent on home soil, a place that made the impossible, possible! " said Mthethwa