Score One for South Africa's "Soccer Grannies"

Beka Ntsanwisi has often been called the "Mother Teresa of South Africa" - and for good reason. The 55-year-old native of Limpopo, one of the most impoverished districts of her homeland, has dedicated her life to improving those of others, so often at her own expense.

While undergoing advanced cancer treatment in 2006, Beka was inspired by some of the older unhealthy women around her to start a soccer team of “grannies” (women over 40), convinced that the group sport would bring health and mental well-being benefits they would never find elsewhere. Fast forward to today, and Beka’s original vision has blossomed into hundreds of teams of grandmothers across South Africa and beyond, to neighboring countries and Europe. Many of these “soccer grannies” formed thanks to Beka’s own efforts as she walked the necessary hundreds of kilometers from village to village, offering equipment, training, and especially encouragement to women who never imagined themselves as athletes. Together, they have practiced, danced, and found joy for themselves and others who see or hear of them.

In March of this year, Beka fulfilled yet another dream: to host the first-ever International Grannies Football Tournament, bringing together teams of women ages 40 to over 80, from around the world. Her sights are already set for another granny world cup in 2025 with plenty of other vital health and well-being initiatives for older under-resourced women and, increasingly, men, along the way.

As US-based soccer grannies ourselves, we want to support Beka to realize her ever-altruistic vision and have launched this campaign to help get her there. Proceeds from this effort directly benefit the older women Beka works for, providing improved fitness, nutrition and health education, physical and mental health support, and personal hygiene and self-care.

Help us score another one for “Mama Beka” and the many very deserving granny athletes she serves.

Thank you.