Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is a hero to so many women who dream of achieving in sport no matter their backgrounds. This is just one of so many reasons Desiree has been awarded with her very own honorary doctorate!
Cape Town, South Africa (26 April 2024)— Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has been commended on her achievements for uplifting women through sport with an Honorary Doctorate as conferred by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)!
The local football legend has played an imperative role in inspiring women’s participation in sport in South Africa, both through her own achievements and that of her team.
“She epitomises women in sport participation, leadership, and business and she is a positive role model for all future CPUT graduates and especially Sport Management graduates,” Prof Simeon Davies, the Head of the Sports Management Department at CPUT said.
Prof Davies further beamed over Desiree’s positive upliftment through sport; sharing that her story is one that has allowed thousands of young women to dream bigger despite their beginnings.
For those who don’t know, Desiree started playing competitive football at 15, where she would go on to make the national squad in ’93 (where she was also vice-caption) before captioning the national team from 1994-2002.
Then, there are the four successive Cosafa Cup titles she helped lead, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s coach of the Year she won in 2018, 2019, 222 and 2023. Not to mention, the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold (awarded to South Africans who have excelled in culture or sport) she earned and of course, last year’s historic accomplishment she helped make possible for Banyana Banyana when they became the first SA senior national team to get to the knockouts during the World Cup last year.
Beyond all she has achieved, Desiree’s journey from humble beginnings has been a pillar of hope for many throughout our country. In turn, her leadership has guided not only her team but also the direction of many women’s dreams.
“A big thank [you] to CPUT for honouring me. Please continue to create opportunities for other women, celebrate them and their achievements. Continue to support and raise the profile of women,” she expressed.
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