SPAR was unveiled as the Sponsor of the Year award winner at the 2024 Momentum gsport Awards in a tough category that included elite 2024 finalists Hollywoodbets and Sasol. The retail giant has sponsored women’s sports for the past 34 years and continues to go above and beyond, in an effort to make a difference for female athletes and women.
SPAR National PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager, Mpudi Maubane reflects on the acknowledgement at SA’s premium women in sport awards.
“The recognition of SPAR at the 2024 Momentum gsport Awards stands out as a monumental achievement, an honour and a great privilege. This accolade highlights our exemplary commitment to women’s sports development and emphasises our strategic intent as we approach our fourth decade of sponsorship efforts.
“As one of South Africa’s largest retailers, SPAR’s investment in women’s sports is not merely about giving back, but it is a huge responsibility of acknowledging the fundamental role women play in society as well as the transformative power of sports in advancing gender equality.”
The retail giant stands out as an advocate for women empowerment before it got fashionable, they opted to partner and buy in to women’s sport despite the common terms (sometimes excuses) like “Return on Invest” became popular.
“SPAR’s sponsorship journey has evolved significantly over time, growing from humble beginnings to a national movement that inspires countless women to participate in sports.”
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The inaugural PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager at SPAR Southern Africa, Mpudi Maubane
Their two main sponsorships are the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge, including the SPAR Grand Prix, and a collaboration that spans over two decades with Netball South Africa in one of the longest-standing sponsorship of a sports federation.
The headline sponsorship of the SPAR Netball Proteas is the longest naming rights sponsorship of a national team in South Africa.
The 25-year sponsorship has just been extended to the next Netball World Cup in 2027. SPAR also sponsors the national netball championships.
“This strategic collaboration is not just symbolic, but it delivers concrete opportunities for athletes to train, develop and showcase their skills on a global stage. As SPAR supports Netball South Africa (NSA), it reinforces its own reputation as a steadfast ally in the journey towards sporting excellence.”